Years of environmental neglect, wildlife loss, and reckless development have pushed Sri Lanka to a breaking point, and nature is now responding with unmistakable force.
Nothing in this world exists beyond the authority of nature. This belief, long held by communities living close to forests and wildlife, has once again been proven true by recent events. As the year 2025 draws to a close, it is evident that Sri Lanka as a nation has endured a deeply tragic and sobering period.
Regardless of political explanations or economic pressures, it is clear that much of what the country has experienced stems from environmental destruction and increasingly extreme natural weather conditions. Nature has responded to illegal, unjust, and irresponsible actions committed against forests, waterways, land, and the animal kingdom over many years. As citizens of Sri Lanka, we must accept that we bear collective responsibility for these consequences.
At the time of writing, more than 400 elephants have been killed across the island. To date, authorities have remained largely silent on conducting a thorough investigation or taking decisive action. Alarmingly, around 99 percent of these elephant deaths have been caused by human activity. This statistic alone exposes the depth of the crisis facing wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and human animal coexistence in Sri Lanka.
Nature has reacted harshly to destructive practices such as deforestation, the blocking of natural waterways, mountain excavation, and unauthorized construction. These actions have weakened the natural systems that once protected communities from floods, landslides, and climate extremes. If Sri Lanka fails to learn from these warnings and continues to neglect sustainable environmental policies, it is inevitable that even more severe natural disasters will follow.
So far, officials, authorities, and those in power have failed to deliver lasting and effective solutions. Proposals and recommendations put forward by concerned citizens and environmental experts continue to be ignored or discarded. This reflects a lack of genuine commitment from decision makers, who rely on temporary and superficial measures instead of long term planning and environmental governance.
If even now the people of this country can understand that no matter how many fences or palaces are built, environmental destruction cannot escape the laws of nature, that realization alone would mark meaningful progress. Sri Lanka remains far behind in wildlife conservation, environmental literacy, waste management, and climate resilient development. Informal construction, unplanned settlements, and outdated agricultural practices further intensify the crisis.
At Kele Kolam, there is a firm belief that the time has come for rulers and officials of a country blessed with extraordinary biodiversity to recognize the true value of environmental protection. Strong enforcement of existing laws, timely policy action, and respect for nature’s limits are essential to rebuilding this nation. Failure to act decisively will condemn future generations to a land defined by sorrow and irreversible loss.
There is still hope that 2026 can become a turning point, allowing Sri Lanka to move toward a future that is genuinely environment friendly and in harmony with nature.
