(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The committee appointed to make recommendations to prevent the deaths of wild elephants by plying trains has begun observing the movements of elephants at points along rail tracks frequented by them.
From today until this Sunday (15), the committee will conduct observations along the rail tracks from Maho Junction to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Thalaimannar and Kankasanthurai, the state radio reported.
Once observations are complete, within the five days, they will draw plans on the specific course of action to be taken to prevent elephants being hit by trains.
The final draft of the plan will be submitted to Minister of transport Nimal Siripala De Silva on the 25th of this month.
Earlier this week three young elephants were killed when they were hit by a passenger train plying to Colombo in the North Central Province. Four elephants including pregnant elephant were killed when a fuel tanker train plying from Orugodawatta, Colombo to Batticaloa collided with a herd of elephants crossing the Colombo-Gal Oya railway line in Puwakpitiya, Habarana last month.
