Farmers continue struggle against human-elephant conflict

COLOMBO (News1st): The struggle launched by farmers of Walsapugala demanding a managed wild elephant reserve entered its 89th day today. Although the Hambantota Managed Wild Elephant Reserve has been gazetted, the regulations pertaining to the reserve are yet to be released. A group of clergymen visited the site of the Satyagraha today. "We believe that the government should intervene in this matter immediately instead of dragging its feet over this matter," Fr. Bennett Mallawa said. The Satyagraha launched by farmers of Mahiyanganaya in solidarity with the farmers of Walsapugala entered its 30th day today. "The Buddhist monks may influence the downfall of this government. We wish to issue that warning. The Maha Sangha is badly disturbed by this," Ven. Ambale Rathana Thero noted. The protest launched by farmers of Galgamuwa entered its 31st day while farmers of Medawachchiya demanding a scientific solution to the human-elephant conflict was held for the 28th day today.