A leading animal rights advocate has been attacked when she was filming the mistreatment of a disabled elephant using her mobile phone.

Panchali Panapitiya had been taking videos of the elephant when it was taking part in an ordaining ceremony perahera (pageant) in Malabe on 8th July.

Panapitiya told Daily Mirror that the elephant named Kandula was forced to take part in the event despite its disabilities.

She said that when she noticed the mistreatment of the 40-year-old elephant she began to take videos using her mobile phone.

The mahout had noticed her taking the videos and approached her, grabbed the phone and threw it on the ground.

Panapitiya said that she filed a complaint with the Police over the incident.

The activist said that the disabled elephant was being used for an ordaining ceremony of a novice monk attached to the Susilaramaya Temple located along the Malabe - Athurugiriya Road.

She also claimed that the elephant was believed to be in the custody of Ali Roshan, an alleged elephant smuggler.

It is believed that Kandula does not have the relevant clearance documents.

Panapitiya told Daily Mirror that cultural events should be held but without cruelty to animals. (Ashanthi Warunasuriya)