The Opposition has called for the appointment of a Special Parliamentary Select Committee to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of the tusker ‘Kawanthissa’, a national natural heritage of Sri Lanka, in order to determine whether all relevant parties fulfilled their responsibilities, and to ensure justice for the iconic tusker.
Accordingly, a motion requesting the Speaker to appoint a Special Parliamentary Select Committee, initiated by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and signed by Opposition MPs, was formally handed over today (23).
Speaking on the occasion, Premadasa stated that, in addition to investigating the death of Kawanthissa, steps must be taken to protect the country’s remaining tusker population. He emphasised that the matter should be treated as a non-political issue.
Furthermore, noting the successful functioning of the Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change under a non-partisan co-chairmanship, the Opposition Leader proposed to the Speaker that the committee investigating the tusker’s death should also be established with co-chairs representing both the Government and the Opposition.
