Mihintale Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal killing of a wild elephant in the Seeppukulam area, following an investigation launched after a disturbing video circulated on social media showing the animal being burned and tortured.
Police said the elephant died within the Mihintale Police Division, and a post-mortem examination has revealed that the cause of death was kidney and liver disease, compounded by shock resulting from severe burn injuries.
Accordingly, three residents of the same area, aged 42, 48 and 50, were taken into custody yesterday evening (17) on charges of setting a wild elephant on fire and committing acts of animal cruelty.
The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (18).
