News
Burnt elephant dies after delayed rescue; activists demand arrests
A 55-year-old wild elephant that suffered severe burn injuries at Seeppukulama succumbed to death around 4.00 p.m. yesterday, despite treatment by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), sparking outrage among wildlife activists and renewed calls for accountability.
Wildlife Conservation Publicity Director Hasini Harishchandra told The Island that the injured elephant had gone missing for a period after the incident and was later located in another area, after which veterinary treatment was initiated.
“We were providing saline and other medication, but the injuries were extensive,” she said, confirming that the elephant died while under treatment.
According to wildlife activists, the elephant had allegedly been set on fire by villagers at Seeppukulama, causing critical burns across large parts of its body. Graphic images and videos circulating on social media intensified public anger, with many questioning the speed and seriousness of the official response.
Elephant activist Panchali Panapitiya, speaking to The Island, accused authorities of failing to act swiftly. “This elephant was burnt by fire by villagers. It was badly injured and in immense pain. The Director General of Wildlife Conservation is yet to ensure timely treatment and, more importantly, arrest those responsible,” she said.
She stressed that the incident was not an isolated case but part of a disturbing pattern of violence against wild elephants, amid escalating human-elephant conflict. “If perpetrators are not arrested and prosecuted, these crimes will continue. Strong action is the only deterrent,” Panapitiya added.
Environmentalists and conservationists say the death of the elephant underscores systemic failures in wildlife protection, particularly in conflict-prone areas where elephants are increasingly targeted with firecrackers, explosives and now fire itself.
They called for an immediate criminal investigation, arrests of those involved, and stronger ground-level intervention to prevent such acts of cruelty.
As public anger mounts, pressure is growing on the DWC and law enforcement authorities to demonstrate that the killing of a protected animal will not go unpunished.
By Ifham Nizam
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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