NewsWildlife Minister John Amaratunga today (Oct 1) said a special committee has been appointed to investigate the recent elephant deaths in Habarana. Last week, seven elephants including a male and six females were found dead near a water tank in Habarana - a city located in the Anuradhapura district. Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said preliminary investigations have shown that the elephants could have died of poisoning. Mr. Sooriyabandara said that samples from these elephants had been sent to the Government Analysts Department, Veterinary Surgeons Institute, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science. He pointed out that the Government Analysts report would determine whether the poisoning was a deliberate act.

Source: Sunday Times October 01, 2019 09:00 UTC