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srilanka_elephant_20110502.jpgSeven hours form Colombo, there is Batticaloa district in the east coastal area of Sri Lanka. The declined gigantic tree tells the size of damage in Katparnkerny village in Mamunai West where we are supporting the victims of the flood damage.
　
When I visited a homeowner to learn their life afterwards, the local staff, Mr. Pushpa told me that this neighborhood is also damaged by elephants.
　
Surprisingly, wild elephants are attracted by the sweet smell of rice and frequently come. It's a serious problem now that they step on the houses and crush them. I thought it was a great chance to see the wild elephants since Japanese can see them only in zoos. However, elephants are not always considered to be good there.
　
In the northern Mannar district where we implement the resettlement support for the returnees after the internal war, The government troops is managing the whole area. Everywhere we go, there are soldiers and checkpoints. As we may be tense for some reason when we see the policeman and the police car even in Japan, camouflage uniforms make us stiffen somehow.
　
However, in this situation I saw a brave, beautiful appearance crossing in front of me. "It looks a bird, but what is that ?" It was a very peacock indeed. A wild peacock was crossing the road swinging a beautiful tail feathers. Besides this, I saw various animals such as a cow, a goat, a donkey, an ape and a weasel. I even felt envy them that they live freely without being restricted at any checkpoints.
　
The driver pulled up a car suddenly on the way back to Colombo from Mannar. "There is an elephant," he said. When I looked at the shade of trees in the bush, there were big backs sticking out here and there. I could see elephants, and it made my life in Sri Lanka more enjoyable.