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Army allegedly 'shoots' tusker

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19 August 2013 10:30 am - 34     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Army and the Wildlife Department have begun their respective investigations into the gun shots alleged to have been fired by army officers at the iconic tusker Gemunu at the Yala National Park, which is beyond the Army’s jurisdiction.

The 25-year-old Gemunu had reportedly approached an army truck in search of food on Sunday evening when some panic-stricken army officers had fired into the air to scare the elephant away.
 
Wildlife Department Director General H.D. Ratnayake said the elephant was earlier believed to have been injured in the firing but to the relief of all concerned the elephant was fortunate to have escaped without suffering any injuries at all.

“I sent out a team of wildlife officials to check whether the elephant had been harmed in any way. It was found unharmed and near Sithulpawwa and luckily doing fine,” Mr. Ratnayake said. (OJ)

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  Comments - 34

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  • lankaputha Monday, 19 August 2013 01:40 PM

    Elephant inside a jungle, and man inside civilized area.

    pissu double Monday, 19 August 2013 01:49 PM

    I am sure that no one, including the police and the army, or even the park wardens themselves, are allowed to carry firearms into a wild life park. So, how come they were armed? Were they escorting some big shot?

    saradiyal Monday, 19 August 2013 02:18 PM

    There weren't any civilians to shoot, as they usually do?

    Chinthaka Monday, 19 August 2013 02:30 PM

    No. They were given weapon and put inside the jungle to protect people.
    The tusker has threatened people inside a civilian vehicle and army fire into air.
    He has done his duty.

    As It Is Tuesday, 20 August 2013 12:00 AM

    Is Sri Lanka being governed under Marshall Law, that army personal have to be in uniforms when they are not on duty? If they were ON DUTY, what were they doing inside Yala and with kith and kin? WHO GAVE ORDERS TO FIRE? Are the forces a law unto themselves? via DM Android App

    Punny Pellow Tuesday, 20 August 2013 02:49 AM

    The green elephants?

    Chaminda Tuesday, 20 August 2013 03:01 AM

    Bad luck ...will replace him with another Joker..

    raj Tuesday, 20 August 2013 04:20 AM

    An elephant will kill only if it feels threat to its life, in self defense. The Army officer should not have provoked the elephant.

    lankaputha Monday, 19 August 2013 01:40 PM

    Army officer had the choice to stay out of the wild safari, Jungle belongs to animals.

    brian Tuesday, 20 August 2013 12:00 AM

    well said pissu double. why were they allowed into the park with weapons? via DM Android App

    why not Tuesday, 20 August 2013 04:38 AM

    The Mighty LTTE kept these army quiet.

    Hashhhsl Tuesday, 20 August 2013 07:37 AM

    If the army behaves like this the rest of the world who did not beleive LTTE will also beleive that they went on rampage and killed all the innocent civilions. What surprise me is defence secretary has not done anything to decipline army.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 20 August 2013 07:43 AM

    These days the army seems to be on a shooting spree to keep themselves in combat mood : people in Rathupaswela , lovers in triangles and now animals in national parks.

    Dee Tuesday, 20 August 2013 07:58 AM

    they should build firing ranges inside the camps so that they can keep their skills polished. this is becoming dangerous day by day. next time they be firing at birds and fish as well.

    nalaka Tuesday, 20 August 2013 12:00 AM

    did I see a comment mighty ltte ohh please then why did they surrender via DM Android App

    OMG Monday, 19 August 2013 11:58 AM

    When you see an army officer do just one thing: run as fast as you can.

    ANTON Monday, 19 August 2013 11:04 AM

    WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR SECURITY FORCES ???
    THEY KILL TEENAGERS, FRIENDS AND GIRL FRIENDS AND NOW ANIMALS.

    willows Monday, 19 August 2013 11:08 AM

    thank god the magnificent gentle giant is OK,

    Asanka Monday, 19 August 2013 11:14 AM

    gud

    Amdon Monday, 19 August 2013 11:18 AM

    First Rathupaswala...now poor old Tusker's... Who's next??

    sjs Monday, 19 August 2013 11:23 AM

    From wining a Great war, to disgrace upon disgrace..

    Sudu Boy Monday, 19 August 2013 11:26 AM

    Pointless news. Doesn't have anything substantial.

    nishantha Monday, 19 August 2013 11:32 AM

    That is his bad luck then... nothing more than that....

    Anura Monday, 19 August 2013 11:38 AM

    Lucky for elephant. What about human being. If an Army officer was killed. what would the wildlife dept say ?

    tarzan Monday, 19 August 2013 11:03 AM

    if the army officer killed by elephant ???????

    upul Monday, 19 August 2013 12:18 PM

    First tear gas, Then water spray thereafter fire.

    dias Monday, 19 August 2013 12:23 PM

    Shame on us.

    R.R Rohan. Monday, 19 August 2013 12:40 PM

    the country has plenty of drug dealers, rapists, murder's and many more, why not shoot them, these animals are much more impotant to us.

    Publik Abilik Monday, 19 August 2013 12:00 AM

    for the people who say "what about if Elephant killed army officer", I say "was the army officer sleeping not to see a massive Elephant sneak up on him?" via DM Android App

    Kiris Baba Amaray Monday, 19 August 2013 01:17 PM

    Nothing wrong indeed. So many precious poor lives had left us, killing or shooting an Elephant is no harm. Is the Elephant is important or a Mankind is important?

    Mahinda Monday, 19 August 2013 01:24 PM

    Never Heard this type of news Before winning the War. Army Need Good officers like War Heros.Shame on Newly appointed Army Commender.

    lankaputha Monday, 19 August 2013 01:39 PM

    Jungle belongs to animals. They have the right to live peacefully or protect their terrortoty.


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