Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Sri Lanka Orders Restoration of Elephant Fences
Sri Lanka's environment minister has told officials to fix elephant fences that were damaged by a big storm called Cyclone Ditwah.
The fences are important because they help keep elephants and people safe from each other.
The storm also destroyed many houses, so the president started a program to rebuild them.
The government says they will build new homes for people who lost theirs and also for people who need help.
The storm caused a lot of damage and cost the country a lot of money.
Sri Lanka's Minister of Environment ordered the restoration of elephant fences damaged by Cyclone Ditwah within one week.
The Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) has resulted in 438 elephant deaths and 158 human deaths in 2025.
Sri Lanka launched a housing reconstruction and compensation program for families affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Preliminary assessments indicate that between 20,000 and 25,000 houses will need to be rebuilt nationwide.
The Sri Lankan economy suffered a 4.1-billion-dollar loss due to Cyclone Ditwah.
- Who
- Sri Lanka's Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
- What
- Order to restore elephant fences damaged by Cyclone Ditwah and launch of housing reconstruction program
- When
- Order issued during a progress review meeting held on Saturday, housing program launched on Friday
- Where
- Sri Lanka, specifically Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts
- Why
- To address the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and mitigate the Human Elephant Conflict (HEC)
- Minister of Environment
- Dammika Patabendi
- Cyclone Name
- Ditwah
- Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) Deaths in 2025
- 438 elephants, 158 humans
- Houses Destroyed by Cyclone
- 6,000 completely destroyed, 17,000-18,000 partially damaged
- Economic Loss from Cyclone
- 4.1 billion dollars