Environmental Activists Seek Urgent Action
A group of environmental activists has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court, calling for disciplinary and legal action against a 67-year-old engine driver allegedly linked to seven separate elephant fatalities along the Batticaloa–Colombo railway line.
The petition, submitted by five activists, urges immediate judicial intervention to curb the rising number of wild elephant deaths caused by train collisions.
Call for Inquiry and Accountability
Petitioners K. Priyadharshani, S. Rajapaksa Adikaram, Auradha Ruwan Chandrashantha, Anusha David, and Jayaruwan Chandrashantha have requested the Court to direct the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways to launch a formal inquiry into these incidents. They allege that despite repeated collisions, no disciplinary action has been taken against the driver, identified as Senarathne, who continues to operate trains on the same route.
The activists also seek an order compelling railway authorities to investigate all elephant fatalities caused by train collisions over the past 12 months and to take appropriate disciplinary or legal measures against any responsible employees, including train drivers.
Elephant Deaths: A Growing Crisis
In their petition, the activists highlight that elephant-train collisions have become a recurring tragedy in Sri Lanka, with minimal intervention from authorities. Citing official statistics, they note that in 2024, 386 elephant deaths were recorded, including 11 caused by train accidents, while in 2023, 488 elephants were killed, with 24 fatalities linked to railway collisions.
Respondents and Legal Representation
The General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways, the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, the Director General of Wildlife Conservation, and the Conservator General of Forests have been named as respondents in the petition.
The application was filed by Attorney-at-Law Sachintha Rodrigo and will be supported by Senior Counsel Sandamal Rajapakse.
(With the inputs from Daily Mirror)