Deputy Minister proposes to export wild elephants

Skills Development and Vocational Training Deputy Minister, Karunarathna Paranawithana says that surplus wild elephants should be sold to foreigners in order to resolve the human – elephant conflict.

Deputy Minister Paranawithana said this while chairing the Balangoda Coordinating Committee Meeting at the Divisional Secretariat today (04).

Various factions pointed out in the meeting that a solution should be found to the human-elephant conflict.

At that moment, Deputy Minister Paranawithana said that only 4,000 wild elephants should remain in the country, but it has increased up to 6,000.

When participants pointed out the nuisance created by wild boar and monkeys, the Deputy Minister said that if permission is to be given to kill such animals, permission should be given to sell their flesh as well.