(COLOMBO) – Three Sri Lankan policemen were on Tuesday suspended from further duties for their alleged involvement in the slaying of a people’s friendly wild elephant late last week, police said on Tuesday.
Several villagers in the area, including the village Buddhist monk, said the elephant, which was blind in one eye, had never harmed anyone and when he comes to their homesteads on a regular basis in search of fodder they never fear him as he would leave when they told it to do so.
The slain elephant was fondly known as ‘Raja’ by the local residents.
The incident took place in the village of Bakumana situated some 183 kilometers from the commercial capital of Colombo.
Police claimed that they were forced to open fire as the elephant was approaching their vehicle in a threatening manner.
The three policemen were later produced before a local Magistrate and released on bail.
Wild animals even not safe from this corrupt regime. All culprits must be punushed.