In a heart-wrenching incident, four elephants lost their lives in a devastating collision with a night mail train traveling from Kankasanturai to Colombo. The tragic event unfolded in the vicinity of Ambanpola, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting renewed concerns about wildlife safety in Sri Lanka.

The unfortunate accident occurred during the late hours of the night, leaving both the train and the elephants involved in the collision with significant damage. The railway department swiftly reported the incident, highlighting the urgent need for measures to protect the country's endangered elephant population.

As of August 2023, the toll on Sri Lanka's elephant population has been devastating, with approximately 250 elephants losing their lives to various causes. This tragic statistic translates to more than one elephant per day falling victim to accidents, conflicts, and other factors.

The loss of four more elephants in this recent collision serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and ensure the safety of these endangered creatures.