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Sri Lanka Gives 7-Day Deadline to Fix Cyclone-Damaged Elephant Fences

Sri Lanka's Environment Minister has ordered officials to renovate elephant fences damaged by Cyclone Ditwah within one week. The country is simultaneously launching a major housing reconstruction program for cyclone-affected families, with the President stating up to 25,000 houses may need rebuilding nationwide. The cyclone exacerbated the Human-Elephant Conflict, which caused hundreds of animal and human deaths last year. The storm resulted in an estimated $4.1 billion loss to the Sri Lankan economy.

Key Points: Sri Lanka Orders Week-Long Elephant Fence Repair After Cyclone

  • 7-day deadline for fence repair
  • 438 elephant & 158 human deaths in 2025
  • Major housing reconstruction program launched
  • Cyclone caused $4.1B economic loss
  • Damage assessment to be finalized soon
2 min read

Sri Lanka orders one-week restoration of elephant fences damaged by Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka directs officials to restore cyclone-damaged elephant fences in one week, as part of broader rebuilding after $4.1B in losses.

"preliminary assessments indicate that between 20,000 and 25,000 houses will need to be rebuilt nationwide - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake"

Colombia, Jan 11

Sri Lanka's Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi has directed officials to renovate elephant fences damaged by Cyclone Ditwah within one week.

The ministry announced on Sunday that the order was issued during a progress review meeting held on Saturday on the restoration of fences severely affected by last month's cyclone, reports Xinhua news agency.

The ministry said extensive damage has been reported across a number of areas affected by the Human Elephant Conflict (HEC).

HEC is a serious problem in certain parts of Sri Lanka. According to official data, there were 438 elephant deaths and 158 human deaths in 2025.

Earlier on Friday, Sri Lanka launched a major housing reconstruction and compensation program for families affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.

According to the PMD, the initiative, part of the government's "Rebuilding Sri Lanka" program, began in the Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts, where new housing projects were inaugurated in Galnewa, Rajanganaya, Nikaweratiya and Rideegama. The program aims to support communities that suffered widespread destruction during the cyclone.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said preliminary assessments indicate that between 20,000 and 25,000 houses will need to be rebuilt nationwide. He said official data show that around 6,000 homes were completely destroyed, while an estimated 17,000 to 18,000 more were partially damaged or located in areas deemed unsafe. Authorities plan to finalise the full damage assessment in the coming weeks.

The president said the reconstruction effort will run alongside existing national housing programs funded through the 2026 budget, which include plans to build 31,000 houses for low-income families, conflict-displaced communities and estate-sector workers, with additional cooperation from India for hill-country housing projects.

The Sri Lankan economy suffered a 4.1-billion-dollar loss due to Cyclone Ditwah.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see India mentioned as cooperating on housing projects. We have our own challenges with human-wildlife conflict, so we understand the complexity. Hope the reconstruction is swift and the new fences are more cyclone-resistant.
A
Aman W
Those numbers are heartbreaking – 438 elephants and 158 humans in just one year. A cyclone on top of that is a double disaster. The government seems to be acting with urgency, which is commendable. The scale of housing needed is massive.
S
Sarah B
While the one-week order sounds decisive, I hope it doesn't lead to rushed, sub-standard work. Proper restoration is key for long-term safety of both communities and elephants. The focus should be on quality, not just meeting a political deadline.
V
Vikram M
$4.1 billion loss is staggering for their economy. Rebuilding houses and fences simultaneously is a huge task. Hope the international community, including neighbours like us, steps up support. Solidarity with Sri Lanka.
K
Kavya N
It's a delicate balance – protecting human lives and livelihoods while also conserving wildlife. The cyclone has made everything so much harder. Wishing strength to the officials and workers on the ground. The data shows how critical this issue is.

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