The Department of National Zoological Gardens says the transport of elephants to the Ma Oya river from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which had been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions in recent days, has now resumed.

Issuing a statement, the department explained that the suspension was due to the drying up of water in the Ma Oya area, the accumulation of sand and muddy debris at the bathing site, and the presence of hazardous materials such as glass shards and metal fragments within the sand, which posed risks to the elephants.

Considering these conditions, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage temporarily restricted elephant movements to the river to ensure their safety and well-being.

Subsequently, with the approval of the Irrigation Department, an excavator was used to remove the accumulated sand and debris from the bathing site, restoring it to a safe condition, the department said.

Accordingly, the department further stated that from December 24, elephants resumed their regular bathing visits to the Ma Oya river at their usual times. (Newswire)

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The National Zoological Gardens says the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens and the Pinnawala Zoological Gardens will remain closed to the public due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions and the resulting fallen trees.

According to the National Zoological Gardens, the Dehiwala and Pinnawala Zoos will remain closed tomorrow (29).

However, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Ridiyagama Safari Park will continue to remain open to the public, it added. (Newswire)

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The bodies of two individuals reported to have died under suspicious circumstances have been found in the Pinnawala and Maha Oya areas.

The Police stated that the body of a 36-year-old male reported to have died in a suspicious manner had been recovered from a forest reserve in Pinnawala yesterday (22).

Investigations reveal that the deceased, a resident of Pinnawala, was receiving treatment for mental illness and was reported missing on 16th March 2023.

The body was found following a complaint filed by the father of the deceased at the Pinnawala Police station.

Meanwhile, the body of a 41-year-old man was found floating in a river near the Padiyathalawa Road in maha Oya yesterday (22).

The Police stated that the deceased has been identified as a resident of Dambadeniya in Maha Oya.

A bicycle was recovered close to where the body was found, while the Police are conducting investigations to ascertain if it was a murder or drowning. (NewsWire) 

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