New home for Hasalaka family, after elephant rampage tears down their only shelter

COLOMBO (News 1st); Walsapugala farmers have been protesting against the non-implementation of the promises made by the authorities to establish an elephant fence to ensure that they do not encroach into villages. 

Dambepitiya Hasalaka Kongolla Ela Village in the Ulpathgama Grama Niladhari Division of the Kandy District is an area frequented by wild elephants.

Although there is an elephant fence around the village, elephants frequent the village with the knowledge that no electricity runs in the fence, although the authorities remain unheeded.

No matter how many authorities were informed about the elephant problem, the problem was not solved for a long time. 

On 17th September, a herd of elephants encroached into the village, and the house of W.M. Nihal Nelson, a Hasalaka resident, was completely destroyed due to the attack. 

Nihal, his wife, and Nihal's one-year-old son were thrown into the streets due to this. 

However, Gammadda, along with the financial assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Mendis, put in effort to build a new house for the helpless family.

Today (26), the house was completed and handed over to Nihal's family, amidst tears of gratitude for News 1st Gammadda, which will remain pledged to serve for the needs of the people, and will remain a part of the people.