Train knocks down jumbos

Sakunthala JAYASINGHE and Amila PRABATH WANASINGHE

Four wild elephants were injured when the Vavuniya-Colombo mail train hit them near Galgamuwa Devagiripura yesterday morning. The Galgamuwa police said that the incident occurred around 3.05 am near the seven and half kilometre post.

The wounded wild elephants also include a calf. The residents said that a herd of about 40 wild elephants had been roaming in the Galgamuwa Getadivula Teak reserve. This herd crosses the Vavuniya-Colombo railway track as a habit at night and several of them had been knocked down during the past few days.

The wounded calf lay prone at the place of accident. The other three elephants had run to a nearby bush. Galgamuwa police are investigating into the incident.