Elephant Sita shot with live cartridges

• Pellets had penetrated the body and their removal was yet to be decided

By Shane Seneviratne   

Scan tests of the domesticated elephant Sita which had been shot at on the banks of the Mahaweli River by a Civil Security Department Officer during the Mahiyangana Perahera festival have revealed that it had been shot with live cartridges causing it seven injuries. 

Prof. Asoka Dangolla of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Peradeniyia University said the scan tests indicated the pellets had penetrated the body but how to remove them was yet to be decided on. He said the X-Ray had not indicated precisely the pellets located near its heart but the pieces of pellets could be identified through the Scan test.  

He said the jumbo was in perfect health and that it would be taken to another location for further treatment in a couple of days.