Sri Lanka, July 18 -- A tragic incident occurred early this morning (18) when a wild elephant was struck and killed by a train traveling from Colombo to Batticaloa. The accident took place around 5:30 a.m. in the Sudunelum village area of Gallella in Polonnaruwa.

According to local residents, the elephant had been roaming the village since around 3 a.m., reportedly damaging and eating paddy crops. Villagers claim they attempted to alert the Wildlife Department, but say their calls went unanswered as officials allegedly disconnected the phone.

The elephant, estimated to be around 15 years old and approximately 8 feet tall, was known to frequent the area. Residents express frustration over the lack of timely intervention, asserting that h...