Police Investigations Continue to Locate Elephant Injured in Maradankadawala Lorry Collision

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Two teams of wildlife officials are currently conducting operations to locate an elephant injured in a collision with a lorry at Galapitagala, Maradankadawala in Habarana.

Police said that one of the elephant's tusks was completely severed in the accident.

The elephant fled into the jungle following the collision.

Police reported the incident to the Kekirawa Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The lorry driver, who was arrested in connection with the accident, has been remanded in custody until the 21st of this month.

There is suspicion that the injured elephant may be "Sumedha," an elephant known to frequent the Minneriya area.

Meanwhile, in the Kattikulam area of Trincomalee, wildlife officials and local residents have been making strenuous efforts for the past three days to rescue a wild elephant that fell into a pit.

Wildlife officials have stated that treatment for the elephant, which is in a weak physical state, has now commenced.

The elephant involved in the accident is approximately 25 years old.