The Kataragama initiative to trap Toque Macaques, launched to address growing public concerns over their disruptive behavior, has been unexpectedly halted following orders from a high-ranking authority. The program, organized under the guidance of Agriculture Minister K. D. Lalkantha, aimed to capture the Toque Macaques and release them into the Yala forest without disturbing wildlife. However, the operation has been abruptly stopped, leaving captured monkeys abandoned in the Kataragama area.
The operation was initially implemented with the support of trained wildlife officers, utilizing non-invasive methods such as baiting with fruit. The effort had reportedly been progressing successfully, alleviating the nuisance caused by the Toque Macaques.
Uva Provincial Wildlife Assistant Director W. A. A. U. D. Indrajith clarified that the wildlife officers in Kataragama were not involved in the trapping and asserted that the initiative was carried out by another group. He also denied receiving any instructions from senior Wildlife Department officials to conduct such an operation.
Meanwhile, Dishan Gunasekara, Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, expressed his disappointment over the suspension of the program. Gunasekara stated that the necessary provisions and support for the initiative were provided following directives from the Agriculture Minister, and he regrets that the program was halted despite its initial success.
Local residents have raised complaints, alleging that the trapped Toque Macaques were released back into the Kataragama area, exacerbating the problem. In response, Agriculture Minister K. D. Lalkantha dispatched a special team to investigate the situation, though it remains unclear why the operation was halted and under whose orders.
The incident has reignited calls for a coordinated and transparent approach to wildlife management in Kataragama, with locals urging authorities to resolve the ongoing issue effectively.
