By Hiran Priyankara   

A herd of wild elephants that raided the Mahakumbukkadawala area in the early hours of yesterday morning caused extensive damage to the Divisional Secretariat and a nearby shop.

Residents of the area said herds of wild elephants often roamed into the villages, destroying cultivated land and home garden crops. They pointed out that civilian life had been disrupted and that they were living in constant fear of any possible danger to their lives.

A trader said the shop building had been leased to him by the Mahakumbukkadawala Pradeshiya Sabha and that the marauding herd had caused damage amounting to about Rs. 500,000 to the building and other property.