It is with a heavy heart that I recount the devastating images and story of a mother elephant mourning the death of her baby elephant, mercilessly struck down by the speeding Meenagaya Train in Sri Lanka on Feb 20, 2025. The elephants were crossing part of the “elephant corridor” that connects Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National parks. 

The loss these magnificent family oriented creatures face, not merely in numbers, but in the deep emotional bonds they share within their herds, leaves a profound scar on every empathetic heart. The sheer pain endured by these elephants is not isolated to them; our collective human conscience mourns alongside them. This senseless loss underscores the necessity for immediate, sustainable measures. 

Current practices are not enough to safeguard the lives of these endangered elephants. According to a study published in the 'Gajah' journal, Sri Lanka witnessed the loss of nearly 54% of its elephant population due to accidents from 2008 to 2014. Tragically, the country still reports many horrific collisions each year (Perera et al, 2015), 9 killed in 2024 and a shocking 24 in 2023 indicating the urgent need for change.

We must better balance the coexistence of wildlife and infrastructure.

Establishing elephant-safe zones, adjusting train schedules during peak elephant movement hours, and enhancing railway fencing are among possible solutions. We should also explore the use of advanced technology to prevent these atrocious accidents, such as early warning systems using infra-red sensors.

We beseech the Sri Lankan government to enact stricter regulations that protect our beloved elephants from train-related deaths and safeguard their future. As concerned global citizens and custodians of our planet's precious wildlife, we cannot stand by as our elephant brethren are decimated.

Now is the time for action!

Join us in speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Please sign this petition. Your signature can make a difference in the fight to stop elephants from being killed by trains in Sri Lanka.