The expert committee appointed to investigate the death of tusker Kawanthissa and recommend a National Elephant Conservation Programme held its inaugural meeting at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (21), under the chairmanship of Presidential Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed the committee to investigate all aspects of the death of Kawanthissa, who died in the Siyambalangamuwa area of Galgamuwa on or around October 16.

The committee has also been tasked with developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the welfare of wild elephants and making recommendations for a national programme aimed at protecting the animals.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the meeting held extensive discussions on the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s death, the nature of its injuries and the intervention undertaken by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The committee also discussed the development of scientifically based SOPs to guide prompt and appropriate action in similar incidents in the future.

Establishing a Rapid Response Veterinary Unit to ensure swift veterinary intervention in the field was another key area of discussion.

The committee further decided to seek the assistance of local and foreign experts in carrying out its work, the PMD said.

Those attending the meeting included Additional Secretary to the President W. W. Harrison, who serves as the committee’s coordinator, and former Ministry Secretary A. H. Sarath Wijesinghe, identified as the committee’s chairperson.

Other members present were Professor T. Saminda Fernando, Professor P. G. Anil Pushpakumara, Professor U. K. Kalinga Padmalal, Dr Jagath Gunawardena and Attorney-at-Law Charaka Jayaratne.