Woman attacked by jumbo during ritual

Indika Polkotuwa and Asela Kuruluwansa

KANDY: A 26 year old woman who tried to walk under the belly of an elephant as part of a ceremony was trampled by the animal and admitted to the Kandy hospital in a serious condition yesterday.

The incident occurred inside the premises of the Natha Devalaya in Kandy and even under the watchful eyes of the mahout, the woman’s daring attempt had gone horribly wrong.

According to eye witnesses the woman had been saved due to intervention of the animal’s keepers as the rampaging elephant ran amok attacking it’s victim.

According to sources, creeping under an elephant’s belly is a ritual commonly practiced by devotees who visit the Devalaya, specially women.