Plantations and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna revealed that he had received an unconventional proposal to address the growing issue of toque macaques destroying crops across Sri Lanka. Speaking at a public meeting, the minister recounted the details of a unique plan submitted by two individuals who visited his ministry.
“Recently, two gentlemen came to my office with a solution to the toque macaque problem,” the minister said. “They suggested finding a 50-acre forest area and creating what they called a ‘Rila prison’—essentially an enclosure for the monkeys. Their idea was to divide the area into two 25-acre sections, one for male monkeys and the other for females. Over time, they claimed this would reduce the breeding rate naturally.”
While the proposal was intriguing, the minister acknowledged its peculiar nature and hinted at his reservations. “Isn’t this proposal a bit petty?” he mused, highlighting the unconventional and potentially controversial nature of the suggestion.
The toque macaque problem has become a significant issue for farmers and communities in Sri Lanka, with the primates causing widespread damage to crops and threatening livelihoods. Efforts to address the issue have included culling, relocation, and other mitigation strategies, but none have provided a lasting solution.
This latest proposal, which effectively seeks to control the population through isolation, adds to the ongoing conversation about how to manage human-wildlife conflict in a way that balances ecological concerns with the needs of affected communities.
Critics may question the feasibility, ethics, and costs associated with such a large-scale project. Others may see it as a creative and humane alternative to harsher measures like culling. The minister has yet to confirm whether the proposal will be seriously considered or implemented.
As the debate continues, it highlights the broader challenges Sri Lanka faces in managing wildlife populations while protecting rural livelihoods and preserving biodiversity.
