Retired soldier killed in elephant attack

A retired army soldier had died this morning (03) due to an attack by a wild elephant in Indigahawewa area in Eppawala, according to Ipalogama Police.

The deceased is identified as S.M. Ranjith Rathnayake, a 48-year-old retired army soldier and father of three residing in Walayakulam village, Indigahawewa of Tirappane Divisional Secretariat.

The deceased had been travelling on a motorcycle to ‘Ali Sthanaya’ junction in Tirappane with his uncle at around 05.30 a.m. today when two wild elephants had obstructed their path.

The two individuals had then fled the scene to save their lives leaving the motorcycle behind.

Assuming that the two elephants had left the location, the deceased and his uncle had returned to the location where they had abandoned the motorcycle.

One of the two elephants had then charged towards the two individuals and attacked the retired army soldier.

He had died on the spot after sustaining critical injuries in the attack, the police said.

The residents charge that their village is constantly under threat due to wild elephants and the lack of proper maintenance of the elephant-proof fence has caused a casualty in this manner.

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