Sri Lanka, Aug. 11 -- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today called for the recognition of the Sri Lankan wild elephant as the country's national animal and called for a scientific approach to resolve the human-elephant conflict.

He made this remark in a message to mark the Wold Elephant Day.

The following is the full message issued by the Opposition Leader:

The Sri Lankan elephant is far more than a magnificent species of our wildlife. It is a part of who we are. For thousands of years, the elephant has been woven into the history, culture, traditions and civilisation of our island.

It has lived alongside our people and has become an enduring symbol of Sri Lanka itself. But today, our relationship with the elephant is facing a pa...