The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered that three suspects arrested in connection with the alleged torture and burning of a wild elephant in the Sippukulama area of Mihintale be remanded until December 24.
The arrests followed the circulation of a disturbing video on social media that showed a wild elephant being subjected to torture using fire. Acting on information obtained from the footage, Mihintale Police arrested three suspects aged 42, 48 and 50, all residents of the same locality.
The injured elephant was later found dead in the Sippukulama area. A post-mortem examination revealed that the animal had suffered from pre-existing kidney and liver conditions, which were severely aggravated by intense shock and fear caused by the burn injuries.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
