By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Residents of Ilukwala area in Sigiriya area living in constant fear of any possible danger from a bear that roams into the village.

They said two villagers had already received serious injuries in encounters with the bear and were currently receiving treatment at Dambulla Base Hospital and Polonnaruwa National
Hospital.

One of them, W.G. Ranasinghe (54), who is receiving treatment at Dambulla Base Hospital, said the bear, hiding behind a bush, darted at him, causing serious injuries in the scuffle.

The bear then sprang at a farmer watching his chena a little distance away. The injured farmer, Kumara Ratnayake (48), was rushed to Sigiriya Hospital and later transferred in critical condition to Polonnaruwa National Hospital.

Residents of the area said it was the first time in more than 70 years that they had noticed a bear frequenting the area during the daytime and causing injuries to people. They suspect that
a bear reared at a hotel might be roaming into the village.

However, a team of wildlife officers from the Giritale Wildlife Department office has taken steps to provide protection to the villagers.

They said they would tranquillise the bear, if found, and release it into a forest reserve away from human habitats.