The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a series of recommendations following the release of data from the National Animal Census conducted on March 15, which revealed that the combined population of toque monkeys, langurs, peacocks, and giant squirrels in Sri Lanka has exceeded 13 million.
According to Dr. Palika Fernando, Additional Secretary to the Ministry, the rising animal populations—particularly in populated and agricultural areas—appear to be closely linked to poor waste management practices.
In response, the Ministry has proposed several key measures aimed at mitigating the impact of wildlife on agriculture and communities:
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Implementation of proper waste management systems
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Introduction of sterilization programs to control reproduction
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Establishment of legal frameworks for effective wildlife management
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Formation of community-based crop protection committees in areas with high wildlife presence
District-level data from the census highlights notable concentrations of certain species. The Kandy District recorded the highest population of langurs at 634,668, while Anuradhapura reported the largest number of monkeys, totaling 160,315. Kurunegala District registered the highest numbers of both giant squirrels and peacocks, with 546,715 and 621,517 respectively.
The Ministry emphasized that these measures are necessary to balance biodiversity conservation with the protection of rural livelihoods, and will be implemented in consultation with environmental and agricultural stakeholders.
