Elephants are held sacred in the region

The Wildlife and Conservation Department says 145 elephants were killed last year, taking the total to around 1,400 over the past 11 years.

The director of the Wildlife and Conservation Department, APA Gunasekera, says it is man that has declared war on the jumbo.

Expansion of human settlements into wildlife habitat has led to a continuing battle between people and animals.

Protection plan

Concerned by the continuing slaughter of pachyderms, authorities have finalised a plan to protect elephant habitat.

It involves setting up electric fences and relocating villages which encroach on the animals' migratory corridors.

The wildlife chief says if the money and resources are made available he can ensure that killing of elephants can be completely stopped in three years.

Environmental activists say the plan to use electric fences to keep humans out of elephant habitats appears to be a good one.

The plan, however, has also been described by its critics as an ambitous one, and too expensive for a country hard-pressed for cash due to the ongoing civil war.

The elephant is listed as an endangered species in Sri Lanka and killing of it carries the death penalty.

Environmentalists say despite the law, the department is understaffed and therefore policing is not effective.

The conflict between government troops and the Tamil Tigers in the North-eastern region has also landed elephants in the cross-fire.