Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 6 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:
A wild tusker named Bhathiya, who had been roaming around the Manigama area in Nikaweratiya while undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds sustained approximately two months ago, had recently fallen into a water pit and met with an accident.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), instructed the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, to take necessary steps to ensure the tusker's safety.
Accordingly, troops from the 15th Sri Lanka Artillery and the 9th Sri Lanka National Guard were deployed to secure the area until the arrival of wildlife officers....