A tense protest erupted in Naula town today (06) as residents placed the casket of a private school bus driver—who was killed in a wild elephant attack—on the Kandy-Jaffna (A-9) main road.
The victim, S.B.M. Thusith Kumara, a resident of Ambana, Naula, succumbed to his injuries after being attacked by a wild elephant while riding his motorcycle. The protest began when locals intercepted the funeral procession carrying his body to the Dambulla Crematorium and parked the vehicle in front of the Naula Pradeshiya Sabha.
Demonstrators attempted to block the A-9 main road entirely. However, the police intervened, reopening one lane to maintain traffic flow while protestors occupied the remaining section of the road with the casket.
Local residents stated that this victim marks the 17th fatality resulting from wild elephant attacks in the area. Demanding an immediate solution, protesters insisted that the Chairman of the Naula Pradeshiya Sabha meet them directly, pointing out that the fatal attack occurred just 500 meters from the Chairman’s residence. Tensions escalated when staff members inside the Pradeshiya Sabha building attempted to video-record the crowd from the upper floor, drawing loud jeers and disapproval from the protesters.
Buddhist monks who arrived at the scene joined the residents in condemning the authorities, highlighting that wildlife officials had failed to inspect the site or address the issue. A brief argument ensued between the monks and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Naula Police Station.
After the body remained on the main road for over half an hour, police tactfully managed to navigate the hearse out of the demonstration area. The protest subsequently dispersed after the Police OIC assured the public that a official discussion involving wildlife authorities and local political representatives would be held the following morning (07) to provide a solution
Dambulla – Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa
