Investigations have been launched by officials of the Anuradhapura Range regarding a video showing a man setting fire to an elephant in the Mihintale Seeppukulama, Ambagahawela area.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation stated that information on the elephant’s death will be reported to the court today (17).
Issuing a statement, the department noted that the suspect who set fire to the elephant has not yet been arrested.
Officials of the Anuradhapura Range, together with officers of the Army Intelligence Service, are continuing investigations to apprehend the suspect.
The elephant, a male aged around 50–55 years and about nine feet tall, had previously been found in the same area with a gunshot wound to its front left leg.
It had been treated by officers of the Pandulagama Veterinary Office on 14 May, 4 June, and 3 July 2025, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Afterwards, no further reports were received about the elephant, though Anuradhapura Range officials continued monitoring it.
However, yesterday (16 Dec), the elephant was found collapsed on land in the Seeppukulama, Ambagahawela area, suffering from burn injuries and the earlier gunshot wound.
Following notification by Anuradhapura wildlife officers, veterinary surgeon Madhuwanthi and staff from the Pandulagama Veterinary Office arrived and administered treatment, but the elephant died during the process. (Newswire)
