May 29, Colombo: Environmentalists and animal rights activists in Sri Lanka have expressed their frustration over the inadequacy of the fine imposed on perpetrators of elephant killings in the country.

But the Director General of Wildlife Dayananda Kariyawasam says that the fine has increased from March. The fine is now Rs. 7500 ($75). The earlier fine for the crime was Rs. 2500 ($25).

Human-elephant conflicts have caused 16 human deaths and 39 elephant deaths during the first quarter of 2006. Some 68 human deaths and 117 elephant deaths were reported in 2005.

It is estimated that about 2500-3000 elephants are still found in the wild, and a further 500 are in captivity in Sri Lanka. Around 1900, more than 10,000 elephants were found all over the island. But these numbers rapidly fell, firstly due to big game hunting, and subsequently because of rapid development and deforestation. Low