On 12th August, the world celebrated International Elephant Day – commemorating a vital species that contributes towards the well-being of the natural ecosystem and the economy. These resilient beings are renowned and widely acclaimed for their intelligence, strong values, and their ability to adapt in the face of overwhelming odds. However, particularly in Sri Lanka, the elephant faces significant threats owing to habitat loss and poaching, and the ever-escalating Human Elephant Conflict that places the lives of both humans and elephants at risk.

As of 11th August, Sri Lanka recorded 266 elephant deaths in 2023 alone, and it is anticipated that this number will only continue to grow over the course of the year. In recognition of this urgent and dire need for conservation, Colombo Jewellery Stores released 100 limited-edition pendants in partnership with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS). All proceeds from sales will be extended towards funding the numerous conservation activities of the WNPS, which contribute towards safeguarding the Sri Lankan elephant for the posterity of future generations while working closely with communities to foster a spirit of coexistence and collaboration in order to mitigate the present interspecies conflict.

For over a century, Colombo Jewellery Stores has served as a hallmark of craftsmanship, luxury, quality, and sustainable values. Over the years, this pioneer in high-quality gems and jewellery has built a brand that inspires members of society to take action and address pressing environmental issues that impact our future. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society is the third oldest nature protection society in the world, and the first in Sri Lanka. Built on this heritage, the Society continues to partner with key stakeholders to engage in activities spanning conservation, advocacy and outreach, while driving legal and policy interventions to strengthen the longevity of people and the planet.

The landmark partnership between these two entities began in 2019. Colombo Jewellery Stores served as the first corporate partner for the WNPS’s Light Repel System (LRS), which is a low-cost effective tool designed towards mitigating the impact of the Human Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka. The LRS deters elephants from encroaching agricultural land and private property through a system of blinking lights and relies on community engagement and empowerment for its success. The system is currently being tested in 25 locations in Sri Lanka, particularly in districts where the highest levels of HEC have been recorded.

The WNPS continues to work alongside its sponsors in testing this mechanism in order to gather more data prior to engaging in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation to roll out the project at a national level. The Society further partners with other organisations to drive awareness programmes across farmer communities and schools in order to mitigate the Human Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka, which is considered to be one of the highest in the world.

“We thank Colombo Jewellery Stores for supporting us in our efforts to conserve and safeguard the majestic Sri Lankan elephant – a species that contributes towards this nation’s economy and the natural ecosystems that sustain us. We believe the proceeds of the sales from these pendants will contribute towards our wide-ranging initiatives to inspire cohesive tolerance and a habitat of peaceful co-existence within the communities where conflict is rife. We would like to urge the public to purchase a single pendant to help us make a difference,” stated Jehan CanagaRetna, President of the Wildlife and Nature Society. Each elephant pendant is individually numbered, and exquisitely crafted in silver with a blue sapphire eye. The pendants are priced at Rs. 15,000 each.