Elephant runs amok

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

At least 24 persons sustained minor injuries when an elephant went on rampage at the Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara Perahera in Badulla on Friday night. Among the injured were 14 women, nine men and one child. They were admitted to Badulla Hospital and their condition was not serious, the police said.

The commotion began when the pachyderm had stepped on burning cinders that had fallen from a torch in the Perahera. The situation was brought under control after authorities made the elephant unconscious and removed her from the scene.