Poisoned watermelon given to elephant

• The suspect had fed the tusker with the poisoned fruit on the instigation of the former mahout who had been expelled due to an irregularity

By M.K.Nandasena  

An individual who fed a poisoned watermelon to an elephant called “ Asela” of the  Kataragama Abhinawarama temple was taken into custody by the Kataragama police on saturday (19).  

Police arrested the suspect during investigations of the complaint received from Mahout Thushara Priyadarshana. He told police that the jumbo had developed a pain in mouth when biting the fruit and dropped it and ejected phlegm from the mouth. However, Veterinary Surgeon, Uva Wildlife Zone Dr.Ananda Dharmakirthi examined the elephant and confirmed that it was out of danger.  

 Investigations revealed that the suspect had fed the tusker with the poisoned fruit on the instigation of the former mahout who had been expelled due to an irregularity. Police said the latter had fled from the area but he would be arrested soon.