Wild elephants invade border villages of the Ampara district coastal areas more often now causing many difficulties to the villagers. The elephant invasion has increased as the harvesting season ended.
The movements of wild elephants have increased in Addalaichenai, Akkaraipattu, Nintavur, Sammanthurai, Alayadivembu, Thirukkovil, Irakkamam and Pottuvil divisions.
The elephants destroy paddy stores, domestic crops, houses, boundary walls and coconut palms, say the residents. Villagers are seeking the intervention of authorities for solutions.
Residents are unable to chase them away as elephants visit after dusk in large numbers in search of food. Properties and crops are regularly destroyed by the elephants, they said.
These activities of wild elephants have considerably increased in the recent past, and parents complain that education of their children too are badly affected due to the movement of elephants.
People urge the authorities to take immediate action to prevent wild elephants entering the villages. They request the authorities to find a solution to the issue.