Elephants Find Refuge in Central Sri Lanka's Hurulu Eco Park Amid Farm Conflicts

During a visit to central Sri Lanka, journalists spoke with one outlet farmers who are gearing up for the spring rice sowing and described how elephants repeatedly trample their fields, forcing them to resort to firecrackers and torches for protection. The confrontations have resulted in hundreds of deaths on both sides in recent years, underscoring a growing human-elephant conflict as habitats give way to intensive farming.

While most of the country’s estimated 7,400 elephants still roam freely, pressure on their range is increasing. The reporters traveled to Hurulu Eco Park in the Habarana district, where the animals are allowed to graze within the park’s limits, offering a glimpse of coexistence. The narrative reflects the cultural reverence for elephants in Sri Lanka, even as farmers risk their lives and livelihoods. The experience was framed by a vivid rainbow scene, symbolizing hope amid the ongoing struggle.