Wildlife officials have reported the discovery of a dead elephant in a cultivation well at Kikilige Wewa, in Lunupahichchawa village within the Medawachchiya Divisional Secretariat area.
According to Dinamina newspaper, the carcass is of a male elephant, about 7 feet tall and estimated to be around 30 years old.
Villagers said the animal had long been suffering from a leg injury and often entered water bodies to ease its pain.
According to residents, the elephant had descended into the agricultural well and died there, with the body remaining submerged for several days before being noticed due to the stench.
The Medawachchiya Wildlife Office has launched further investigations into the incident. (Newswire/ Image- Dinamina)