Premadasa seeks domestic Red Notice and rapid force to protect tuskers

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the government to issue a domestic 'Red Notice' and set up a dedicated rapid deployment force to protect Sri Lanka's shrinking tusker population. The call was made in a special statement issued by the Opposition Leader's Office ahead of the one-month remembrance of the late tusker Kavantissa.

Premadasa said current conservation efforts lack a structured national plan and criticised authorities for relying on a single organisation's advice when compiling a tusker registry. He also highlighted a shortage of veterinary surgeons in the Department of Wildlife Conservation, noting that only 17 of the 33 required were serving.

He proposed mobile veterinary ambulance services for human-elephant conflict zones and training a security forces unit in wildlife conservation. The SJB pledged full support for a concrete action plan. A Dhamma sermon and alms-giving will be held at Buduruwakanda Rajamaha Viharaya in Galgamuwa on November 16 and 17 in merit for Kavantissa.