Farmer trampled to death by wild elephant in Maha Oya

By Wasantha Chandrapala   

A maize cultivator from Maha Oya was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the early hours of last morning.   

He had been watching the maize cultivation at night and was preparing to leave for home when he was attacked by the wild elephant which had entered his Chena.   

The victim Wasantha Kumara (45) was a resident of Kelawinna in Maha Oya.   

Eastern Province Director of Wildlife Prasanna Wimaladasa said wildlife officers had warned cultivators to be cautious of wild elephants which  roamed cultivations at night.   

He said the Department paid Rs.100,000 immediately as funeral expenses pending compensation payment.