INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A Civil Defence Department officer attached to the Mapakada Wewa Wildlife Regional Office has been arrested in connection with the shooting
of a female elephant that had participated in the annual Randoli Perahera of Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya.Police spokesperson SSP Nihal
Thalduwa said a statement is being recorded from the said officer.The incident has taken place at around 3:30 a.m
this morning.It was reported that following the procession, the female elephant had been tied to a tree on the banks of the Mahaweli
River.The mahout, who said he was having breakfast when the incident happened, accused the officer of shooting the elephant despite people
crossed the river.The injured 48-year-old elephant was later treated by veterinary surgeons of the Wildlife Conservation Department.In a
statement, the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, M.G.C
while trying to scare off the wild elephants in the vicinity.
