Motorists urged not to feed elephant frequenting Dambulla-Habarana Road

Motorists are being warned to refrain from feeding a wild elephant that has grown to frequent the Dambulla-Digampathana Main Road waiting for food from passing motorists. 

For about a month now, some motorists have made a habit of bringing food with them and giving it to the elephant who is waiting on the road. 

Dubbed "Illan Kanna" by lorry drivers who frequent the area, the elephant has now become used to waiting on the road the entire day waiting for food handouts by passing motorists. 

Many motorists bring various fruits such as mangoes and pineapple as well as maize for the elephant, mostly wrapped in polythene. They throw the food at the feet of the elephant and even discard the polythene bags into the environment. 

The elephant is also posing a danger to motorists as it has taken to following vehicles that pass by without giving it food, area residents said. 

If motorists continue to feed the wild elephant, area residents say it won't be long before a major incident occurs that could cause harm to both human and elephant alike. 

Text and Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa