World Elephant Day 2024 provided an important platform to raise awareness of human–elephant coexistence and to highlight the challenges faced by Sri Lanka’s elephants and the communities living alongside them. Under the theme “Help Save the Majestic Ceylon Elephant,” WNPS collaborated with Spa Ceylon to engage the public through a series of educational, experiential, and community-oriented initiatives. Central to the campaign was the Help Save the Majestic Ceylon Elephant Wellness Run, held in August, which featured 5-kilometer and 2-kilometer runs. The event attracted a diverse range of participants, and top performers were awarded by Spa Ceylon and WNPS, creating a tangible connection between conservation action and community engagement.

Alongside the run, a poster exhibition was organised to educate the public on the realities of elephant conservation, presenting the human–elephant conflict and the dangers posed by trap guns. Complementing these displays, children from Ehetuwewa performed a stage drama illustrating the impacts of trap guns on elephants and local communities. These creative and participatory events provided an opportunity for audiences of all ages to engage with wildlife conservation in a meaningful way, fostering empathy for elephants and encouraging a collective sense of responsibility.

On 12 August, a double-decker bus toured through Fort and Pettah, reaching a broad cross-section of the public and bringing conservation messaging directly to the streets of Colombo. The campaign concluded with a Nations Trust WNPS Monthly Lecture at BMICH titled “Co-existing with Wild Elephants: A Comparison Between Botswana and Sri Lanka.” Dr. Tempe Adams and Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya led the discussion, sharing insights into effective coexistence strategies and highlighting lessons learned from both local and international contexts. Dr. Adams also conducted two workshops on human–elephant conflict strategies, one for undergraduates at the National Zoo and another at the WNPS Head Office for wildlife enthusiasts, further extending the educational impact of the campaign.

Recognising the socio-economic hardships faced by families affected by human–elephant conflict, WNPS launched the Gaja Nena Sahana Scholarship programme on World Elephant Day. This initiative provides monthly scholarships to children who have lost a parent to human–elephant conflict, supporting them through the completion of their secondary education. Between 2019 and 2023, 737 lives were lost to such conflicts, many of them primary breadwinners, leaving families in severe distress. While government provisions offer one-time compensation for fatalities and disabilities, the scholarship programme provides sustained support and strengthens the resilience of affected communities.