President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed an expert committee to investigate the death of tusker Kawanthissa in the Siyambalangamuwa area of Galgamuwa on or around October 16, 2026, and recommend measures to strengthen wild elephant welfare and conservation in Sri Lanka.

The committee has been tasked with examining all aspects of the elephant’s death, including its immediate and underlying causes, and determining whether any lapses or negligence occurred during its treatment, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

Chaired by former Ministry Secretary A. H. Sarath Wijesinghe, the committee comprises Professor T. Saminda Fernando, Professor A. G. Anil Pushpakumara, Professor U. K. Kalinga Padmalal, Dr Jagath Gunawardena and Attorney-at-Law Charaka Jayaratne. Additional Secretary to the President W. W. Harrison will serve as the committee’s coordinator.

In addition to investigating the circumstances surrounding Kawanthissa’s death, the committee will develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the welfare of wild elephants and formulate recommendations for a national elephant conservation programme, the PMD noted.

The committee has also been authorised to seek assistance from local and international experts as necessary to carry out its investigations and fulfil its mandate.

The expert panel is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the President within 30 days. The report will include its final findings on Kawanthissa’s death, a proposed framework for standard operating procedures on wild elephant welfare, and recommendations for a national elephant conservation programme.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the tusker’s death while providing recommendations aimed at improving the care, protection and long-term conservation of wild elephants in Sri Lanka, the PMD added further.