A wild elephant roaming the road was shot and killed by the police in the Bakamoona Damanaya Dampura area on the Dambulla-Bakamoona main road.
According to Bakamoona wildlife officials, the shooting occurred last night (15). The elephant, known as "Raja," was believed to be blind in one eye. Local residents reported that the elephant had not posed a threat to anyone.
Bakamoona Police daid that three officers on patrol in a three-wheeler shot the elephant with a T56 firearm after it attempted to attack them.
The incident led to a tense confrontation between local residents and the police last night.
Habarana Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sudath Asmadala, has initiated an investigation into the matter.
