Spa Ceylon Partners With WNPS In Bold Effort To Save Sri Lanka’s Elephants From Escalating Human-Wildlife Conflict
Shakila Ifham
August 9, 2024
In a bold and timely initiative, Spa Ceylon, the world’s largest luxury Ayurveda wellness brand, has teamed up with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign titled “Help Save the Majestic Ceylon Elephant.” This program aims to shine a spotlight on the escalating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka, underscoring the critical need for conservation efforts to protect these iconic animals.
The initiative was unveiled in Colombo, where Shalin Balasuriya, Co-Founder and Group Director of Spa Ceylon, emphasized the significance of the campaign, stating, “The main aim of this programme is to both educate and spread awareness of these magnificent creatures.”
Supun Lahiru Prakash, Chair of the Human-Elephant Coexistence Subcommittee at WNPS, delivered a poignant message, stressing the vital role elephants play in maintaining the ecological balance. He remarked, “From its inception in 1874, WNPS has recognized the importance of the wild elephant as a Keystone Species; the health of the wilderness and its other inhabitants depend on them. If the elephant should go extinct, so will the rest of the animal kingdom and the rich biodiversity of this island nation will soon vanish.”
The series of events would kick off with the “Help Save the Majestic Ceylon Elephant Wellness Run” on 11th August. Starting at 6:00 a.m. from Independence Square, Colombo, the run featured a 5km and a 2km race, with the top three finishers receiving valuable gifts from Spa Ceylon and the WNPS.
Adding a compassionate dimension to the initiative, a Scholarship Program titled “Gaja Nana Sahana” will be introduced to support children who have lost a parent due to HEC complications since 2023. This scholarship aims to offer resilience and financial assistance to those most affected by the conflict.
The campaign continues on World Elephant Day, 12th August, with an Awareness Bus Ride, featuring a decorated double-decker bus filled with promotional materials. This bus will travel through Fort and Pettah, capturing the attention of the public and spreading the conservation message far and wide.
The series will culminate on 15th August with the Nations Trust WNPS Monthly Lecture at the Jasmine Hall, BMICH. The lecture will focus on a comparative study of elephants in Botswana and Sri Lanka, presented by esteemed conservationists Dr. Tempe Adams and Sumith Pilapitiya, offering insights into the different approaches and challenges faced by both nations in elephant conservation.
Graham Marshall of WNPS highlighted the importance of legislative changes to address HEC, while Jehan CanagaRetna, immediate past president of WNPS, pointed out the alarming statistics: 19 districts in Sri Lanka are grappling with HEC. In 2023 alone, 476 elephants and 169 people lost their lives to the conflict, underscoring the urgency of the issue.This collaboration between Spa Ceylon and WNPS marks a significant step forward in the battle to protect Sri Lanka’s elephants and foster a sustainable coexistence between
FAQs