Sri Lanka, July 2 -- The Wildlife Conservation Officers' Association (WCOU) today announced that they will start trade union action on July 9 if the government does not increase their risk allowance and meet other demands.

Four associations, including the Wildlife Veterinary Officers' Association and the Sri Lankan Wildlife Rangers' Association, will join this protest.

Speaking to the media, yesterday, veterinary officer Suhada Jayawardena, a member of the Wildlife Veterinary Officers' Association, said the current risk allowance of Rs. 11,500 is too low for the dangerous work they do.

"Our officers work 24 hours a day, 21 days a month. We deal with dangerous situations like human-elephant conflicts, capturing wild elephants, treating ...