Thera dies in wild elephant attack

Habarana group corr. and Polonnaruwa district group corr.

HABARANA: Ven. Balangoda Gnanawasa Thera, 34, died after he was attacked by a wild elephant while on his way to the Godigalakanda Aranya Senasanaya in the Huruluwewa forest reserve, Habarana on Thursday.

Ven. Karandana Pannawansa Thera, head of the Senasanaya said the area was infested with wild elephants. "We took the injured bhikkhu to the Habarana hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

"This is the first time he visited the Senasanaya," he added.