Elephants to be relocated for CWG

7 July 2011 05:27 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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Sri Lanka is to relocate over 200 wild elephants to construct a new airport and massive games city in the south of the country to host a sporting event, a minister said Thursday.`

Sri Lanka is bidding to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota and if selected a massive games city will be constructed at the selected location which borders a national park.

"Some 200 elephants will be relocated from parts of Hambantota where the massive development is expected to take place and they will be shifted to Weheragala in Monaragala situated 60 kilometers from Hambantota," Minister of Agrarian Services and Wildlife S.M. Chandrasena said.

A Sri Lankan environmental group said it will strongly protest the move as shifting the elephants will affect their natural habitat.

Banduranga Kariyawasam of the Green Campaign of Sri Lanka told Xinhua that Sri Lanka has already begun constructing the new airport in the area and the runway of the airport goes between an elephant corridor.

Kariyawasam said environmental groups are preparing to go to courts against the environmental impact being created by the construction of the games city.

However an official who is part of the team involved in bidding for the games to be held in Sri Lanka insisted that a full environmental assessment has been made on the games venue.

A delegation from the Commonwealth Federation was Sri Lanka last week to evaluate Sri Lanka's bid for the 2018 games. Australia's Gold Coast is the other city bidding to host the games. (Xinhua)

Comments - 17

Cynic Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:22 AM

Chase out the rulers and protect the wildlife.

3 59

D Friday, 08 July 2011 05:40 AM

Why not promote eco tourism?? We can surely reap benefits and save the elephant! noooo please don't do this!!!!!

2 8

Gunendra Friday, 08 July 2011 05:13 AM

Then we dont wont Sri Lanka to host this games.

0 6

ICC Friday, 08 July 2011 03:44 AM

THIS NOT A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. AFTER GAME
THIS IS AN WHITE ELEPHANT

2 10

pularika Thursday, 07 July 2011 08:44 AM

you play with nature and nature plays with you

0 31

sltk2004 Thursday, 07 July 2011 07:39 AM

All those who are against this development project are conspirators

42 19

Minister Thursday, 07 July 2011 07:37 AM

Including two legged elephants too?

6 20

Smart Alec Thursday, 07 July 2011 07:34 AM

Send All The elephants to China.

6 35

Sena Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:37 AM

Authorities are not blind Anush, there is only ONE authority and everyone else has to fall in line or lose their job.

3 61

Shiwangi Thursday, 07 July 2011 05:43 AM

Where is the report of the environmental Impact assessment study?

1 80

faizal Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:25 AM

Why this all this developments in the south only......

7 56

daham Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:18 AM

The elephants are to be relocated to build the massive games city, and after the games in 2018, it will be a 'white elephant'.

4 79

Anush Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:16 AM

Oh..my God.. i really hope that we dont win this bid. Cant they see the destructions this would cause to our country!!!!!! how come the authorities be such blind!! I feel so... sad :(

5 91

Mare Maru Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:03 AM

I hear that elephants are singing "We like to move it, move it...." song like in Madagasgar movie

3 50

sam Thursday, 07 July 2011 06:03 AM

aney..apith ithin mey ratey ipadunane.... sigh.....!

4 57

simple mind Thursday, 07 July 2011 05:45 AM

There you go. Let alone the two legged elephants this govt wont even spare the four legged variety.

3 86

aruna Thursday, 07 July 2011 05:48 AM

Are there any Tuskers in the region?

4 54

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