Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed top Ministry officials to take legal action against those who give fruits and other food items to wild elephants when travelling on the Buttala-Kataragama main road.
Many incidents of wild elephants attacking vehicles have been reported to the Wildlife Conservation Department after they gave fruits and other food items to wild elephants. It has also been reported that some travellers harass wild elephants in the area.
Some vehicles that ply on the Habarana and Udawalawe main roads are also reported to have been attacked and smashed by wild elephants due to people giving them food.
Minister Amaraweera has instructed officials to take tough legal action against the culprits since the pilgrims are at a great risk of being attacked by wild jumbos.