She-elephant suffering in abandoned gem pit

• Residents of the area said they informed the wildlife  officers in this regard and that a team of officers who arrived  provided treatment to the she elephant and left

BY Kanchana Kumara   

A she-elephant that fell into an abandoned gem mine in the  jungle in Dunkaladeniya on the banks of Kaluganga in Laggala has been on  the verge of death for more than four days.   

Residents of the area said they informed the wildlife  officers in this regard and that a team of officers who arrived  provided treatment to the she elephant and left. They said no steps were taken to save the elephant, bogged down in mud. They pointed out that  it was on the verge of death for want of food and water, and due to the  intense heat.   

However, they have taken steps to provide shelter and fodder to the animal.   

The villagers said the land on the banks of the river  belonged to the farmers, but was later vested with the Mahaweli Authority.  They said the Mahaweli Authority has given its approval to restore the  land to the previous owners, but the Divisional Secretariat has issued  permits to affluent individuals for gem mining.  

However, the wildlife officers refused to comment on neglecting the she-elephant struggling for existence