Elephants on the Runway? Mattala Airport Gets Its Own Wildlife Office

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a special Wildlife Department office at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota to address the growing problem of wild elephants and other animals trespassing into the airport premises. According to the government, the frequent movement of wild jumbos and other fauna into the airport area and across its access roads has become a serious concern, threatening the safety of passengers, airport staff, and infrastructure. These incidents have not only disrupted airport operations but have also led to significant repair costs for Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Ltd, which manages…

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