The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of a dedicated Wildlife Department office at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota.
This decision follows multiple incidents involving wild elephants and other animals trespassing onto airport grounds and crossing access roads, posing risks to infrastructure and disrupting airport operations. These incidents have also led to considerable repair expenses for Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Limited.
The new office will be responsible for monitoring and managing wildlife movements, preventing animal-related accidents, and ensuring the safety of passengers, airport staff, and infrastructure. Authorities expect the initiative to reduce operational disruptions and help maintain smooth and uninterrupted aviation services at the airport.
