The harsh reality of this meeting is different. It’s not a convivial gathering of people over cake and hot cups of tea at 11 in the morning. We are meeting Jayalath in the small area leading to D-Ward, having reached Bogambara in Kandy at around 8.30 a.m.

Every year from July to October, between 200 and 400 elephants arrive at the Minneriya reservoir, mainly to graze on the grasses growing on the tank bed. This occurs because during the drought, the water level drops, revealing a tank bed that allows the grass to grow.The elephants turn to this much needed fodder at a time when foliage in other areas dries up.