Motorists face threat of wild elephants on Buttala–Kataragama road

By K. D. Devapriya   

Drivers on Buttala – Kataragama road are facing the threat of wild elephants obstructing the road and hitting motor vehicles.  They said the danger of wild elephants was going on unchecked and at least five vehicles are damaged almost every day.  Trishaw drivers and motorcyclists said they were the most vulnerable to the attacks. Uva Province Asst. Director, Wildlife Conservation Dept. W.A.A.D.U. Indrajith said several wild elephants were suffering from rabies. He said the drivers in the habit of feeding wild elephants were mostly responsible for this situation.   
Asst. Director said this road had been declared a forbidden territory for travel by motor vehicles by gazette notification on February 24, 1939 during the British rule to prevent any possible danger to the people and to give protection to the animals.   

The official said however the road had been opened for traffic in view of the large population travelling to Kataragama. He pointed out that the elephants roaming onto the road could be prevented if the travellers refrained from feeding them.