No school for two days after elephant invasion

Perakumpura Primary School in Medirigiriya was closed for two days as it was invaded by a herd of 12 wild elephants which stayed there for two days.

Principal D. M. Upali told “The Island” that he had been compelled to close his school due to the presence of the wild jumbos.

He said, the Medirigiriya police and Wildlife Department had launched a joint operation to chase the elephants away.

Wildlife officials said the elephants had strayed into the school land while they were searching for food.

They had come from the Somawathi National Park, the official said.