We, the undersigned, express our outrage and deep sorrow over the tragic death of a 55-year-old wild elephant in Seeppukulama, Sri Lanka. This majestic creature suffered severe burn injuries after being deliberately set on fire by villagers, ultimately succumbing to immense pain and critical wounds.

This horrific act is not an isolated incident. It highlights systemic failures in wildlife protection and the escalating human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. Elephants, a national treasure and a protected species, are increasingly targeted with firecrackers, explosives, and now fire itself. Such cruelty cannot be tolerated in a country that prides itself on its rich biodiversity and cultural reverence for elephants.

We demand immediate action:

• Launch a full criminal investigation into the killing of the elephant.
• Arrest and prosecute all perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.
• Strengthen ground-level interventions to prevent similar acts of cruelty in conflict-prone areas.
• Empower the Department of Wildlife Conservation and law enforcement authorities to act decisively against offenders.
• The death of this elephant must not go unpunished. Justice must be served, and stronger protections must be enforced to ensure that no other animal suffers such a fate.

We call upon the Government and the President of Sri Lanka to demonstrate leadership and compassion by taking swift, transparent, and meaningful action.

We also appeal to international conservation organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and global animal welfare groups, to monitor this case and support Sri Lanka in strengthening wildlife protection measures. Global solidarity is essential to ensure that elephants — symbols of heritage and biodiversity — are safeguarded for generations to come.

Sign this petition to demand justice and protect Sri Lanka’s elephants from cruelty.