Sri Lanka, July 15 -- The government has pledged to expedite solutions to long-standing land issues in the Kalthota and Weligepola divisions of Ratnapura District while introducing new measures to reduce human-elephant conflict in the area.

A special discussion chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi was held yesterday (14) at the Balangoda Samanala Wewa Hydroelectric Power Plant auditorium with the participation of government officials, local authorities and residents.

Ratnapura District MP Sunil Rajapaksa, Forest Conservation Department Director General P.S.C. Palakumbura, Wildlife Department Director of Operations U.L. Thaufeeq, Divisional Secretaries and officials from several government institutions also attended the...