How do we ensure Human- Elephant Coexistence?

"We dont want to give up our land." Elephant corridor won't help to save us from elephant attacks and the aggregating conflicts due to loss of forest for the elephants. We have been living here for decades. Our fathers and fore fathers lived here. Our children should also live this divine land. We are fed up with go behind with these politicians and authorities. Who else we can say this injustices? We can not trust any one now. All are coming here for their personnel gains. This is what our team gathered today at the community meeting held at Hirudeniyaya village. Hirudeniyaya farmer leaders are complaining about their situation and cursing all those who are attempting to disturb their lives and livelihoods. People are strongly oppose the proposed Elephant Corridor from Kahalla - Pallakele forest to Hakwatuna Oya. The farmers say this is a path to destroy every thing even the lives of the people as the elephants come and going via their village under this scheme. Even school children can not go to school as there is no guarantee of the time of elephants are moving. Our whole life will be in danger.

Elephant Corridor for Human Elephant Coexistence issues

Today my colleagues attended a field survey and people's mobilisation meeting at Irudeniyaya villages in Polpithigama divisional secretariat area.
The Irudeniyaya villages around 8 agricultural villages were about to evict from their land in order to cater to the needs of the tourism project. The lands from Kahalla- Pallekele forest was given to farmers and more than 2 generations they were living in the area. The houses were built with electricity, access roads and nearby schools for children's education. Recently there is a suggestion to appropriate the lands under wild life department
People were schocked to hear this and agitated many ways including 3000 people gathering at Kurunegala in October 12th.  The message was clear. We dont leave our land.
The leaders submitted petition to N/W province chief minister and land minister. Without any surprise their response was clear.
"We dont have land powers to settle these issues".
People of Irudeniyaya went home empty hands but with a determination.
"We dont vote for any political party unless solve our land issue".
There were several promises given during the last provincial council elections. People will not be removed from their lands.
But today the issue has emerged in a different angle. It is a proposal for an Elephant Corridor from Kahalla Pallakele to Hakwatunawewa reservoir via Irudeniyaya.
The problem has a new face now. Today our discussion was to find ways and means to survive the farmers of Irudeniyaya and fishers in Hakwatunawewa reservoir and adjasent villages. People say we will not give up our land and wont allow fisher people to suffer with these new priposals.

Let us Protect Rathgama Lagoon- Says SFO-Galle Fisher Leaders

Southern Fisheries Organization-Galle has organized a dialogue between fisher people around Rathgama Lagoon and relevant government officials today, which was held at SFO-Galle office. The long term struggle to protect Rathgam lagoon is one of the main agenda item among the SFO-Galle team. The officials from Wild Life department, Environmental authority, irrigation department, Grama Niladari officers, fisher leaders, environmental activists and women concerned attended the meeting today. The Rathgam lagoon has been encroached by hoteliers and these attempts were prevented with the mediation of the people around the lagoon. However,there were series of requests, complains were made by the fisher people and some concerned groups including SFO-Galle was not heard by the authorities and hoteliers continued their tasks while destroying important wetland of Rathgam lagoon. Today, SFO-Galle took the initiative and brought the relevant authorities together to discuss and find ways to protect the Rathgam lagoon as a collective effort. The officials, fisher leaders, activists of NAFSO and SFO-Galle agreed to work together and prevent the destruction of Rathgam lagoon. The group undertook some responsibilities and agreed to meet again within 3 months time to assess the progress and evaluate the collaboration activities.