The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has been informed that the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to the human- elephant conflict is annually reported in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has been ranked second in reporting the highest number of human deaths due to the human- elephant conflict, behind India which holds the first rank.

The COPA was informed in this regard during a discussion held on the issues surrounding the human- elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, while the committee appointed to study the issue briefed the committee on its findings.

It was further revealed that on an average 272 elephants are reported dead for a year in Sri Lanka due to the human- elephant conflict, but 407 elephants had died last year alone.

The COPA was also informed that even though 85 humans die for a year on average, 122 humans were reported to have died in 2019 due to the human – elephant conflict in Sri Lanka.