Human-Elephant conflict unresolved despite Rs. 490 million costs: COPA

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Human-Elephant conflict is YET TO BE RESOLVED despite the staggering Rs. 490 million incurred on the construction of electric fences as a solution to the issue, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts or COPA revealed. According to the COPA, a sum of Rs. 275,447,639 (Rs. 275 million 447,639) was incurred for the construction of the electric fences in 2019 to prevent the Human-Elephant conflict. Furthermore, a sum of Rs. 221,505,818 (Rs. 221 million 505,818) was incurred on addressing the Human-Elephant conflict last year, to build electric fences spanning only 4,756 km in length. However, the Committee on Public Accounts pointed out that 28 people died and 83 elephants also lost their lives in the country, as a result of the Human-Elephant conflict by March this year.