SriLanka, Oct. 20 -- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed an expert committee to investigate all aspects of the death of the tusker Kavantissa, which occurred in the Siyambalangamuwa area of Galgamuwa on or around October 16, develop standard operating procedures for the welfare of wild elephants and make recommendations for a national elephant conservation programme.

The committee is chaired by former Ministry Secretary A. H. Sarath Wijesinghe, with Professor T. Saminda Fernando, Professor A. G. Anil Pushpakumara, Professor U. K. Kalinga Padmalal, Dr. Jagath Gunawardena and Charaka Jayaratne serving as members.

Additional Secretary to the President W. W. Harrison will serve as the committee's co-ordinator.

The committee ha...