Pakistan tourist has narrow shave

A tourist who was enjoying an elephant ride at an “Elephant Safari” centre in Randeniya on the Rambukkana - Kegalle road had a harrowing experience when the elephant in a frenzy attempted to unseat the tourist and throw him off its back. The tourist remained on the back of the elephant clinging with dear life to the chain round the jumbo’s neck for more than one hour until the mahouts managed to rescue him with a forklift.

The 28-year-tourist was a Pakistani who was on a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant orphanage. The tourists visiting the Elephant Orphanage are in the habit of enjoying elephant rides at the Safari centres in the area run by several businessmen.

When the elephant stepped into the nearby Kudaoya, the Safari Centre officials called in a veterinary surgeon who injected a tranquilizer but it was not effective. Later they brought a forklift and saved the tourists. Travelers on Rambukkana- Kegalle road stopped their vehicles on the road or moved slowly to catch a glimpse of the scene. (Karunaratne Atukorala)