Wild elephant attacks claim three lives

COLOMBO (News1st): Two lives were lost in the village of Ulhitiya within 24 hours as a result of wild elephant attacks, highlighting the need to solve the growing conflict. D.M. Hemalatha, 54, the second casualty in the wild elephant attack, had been living in a neighbour's residence after her house was destroyed by wild elephants last year. The incident had taken place within a kilometre from the residence of Heen Manika, another resident who was killed by a wild elephant, less than 24 hours earlier. Meanwhile, an elephant attack was reported from the Kurulubadda area in Polonnaruwa as well. H.M. Dharmadasa, a farmer who had been travelling to his field on a motorcycle, had been attacked by an elephant this morning. He had been admitted to the Welikanda hospital before being transferred to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital. Dharmadasa's parents had died in a wild elephant attack at their residence in 2004. His brother is currently differently-abled as a result of an elephant attack.