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Elephant runs riot at Perahera in Badulla

Pandemonium broke out when one of the elephants was flanked by a she-elephant and obstructed the Badulla Kataragama Devale’s final Randoli procession on Sunday night in a fit of rage.

It ran riot, impatiently kicking away mats, bed sheets and other belongings of the crowd, who ran hither and thither for safety.

The mahouts attempted to quell the situation but to no avail. Veterinary surgeons rushed to the scene and tranquilised the agitated elephant, which had obstructed the procession.

However, the procession was delayed by about two hours. The dancing groups and artistes performing in the procession had to avoid the front entrance and join the procession through another exit in the Devala premises.

Basnayake Nilame Ranjith Udayakumara Dissanayake said no one was hurt in the incident.

Mahouts said the elephant developed this unusual behaviour when it was flanked by a she-elephant.