Army soldier dies in wild elephant attack

An Army soldier engaged in duty at guard post number 3 of the Kandakadu Army Farm in Welikanda died following a wild elephant attack early this morning (15), according to the Welikanda Police.

A wild elephant entered the farm belonging to the Kandakadu Army Camp after breaking through an electric fence at around 5:40 am.

The attack occurred when an attempt was made to chase away the elephant while it was eating the cultivated paddy crop.

The soldier who sustained severe injuries from the wild elephant attack was admitted to the Welikanda Hospital, where he died, according to hospital sources.

The inquest into the death of the deceased soldier was conducted at the Polonnaruwa Hospital, and the post-mortem examination is scheduled for tomorrow (16) morning.