Batticaloa: Two wild elephants were reported roaming in the swampy areas of Mantheevu in the Batticaloa District yesterday (19), raising concerns among local residents over public safety.

Residents alerted the Department of Wildlife Conservation, following which officials, along with military personnel, rushed to the area and initiated efforts to drive the animals away. However, attempts to remove the elephants from Mantheevu have so far been unsuccessful.

According to local residents, the elephants have been moving across the Vavunatheevu and Ayithiyamalai areas in search of food, posing a growing threat to nearby communities. They noted that despite repeated efforts by authorities to control the situation, the animals continue to remain in the area.

The incident comes amid an increase in human-elephant conflict in the Batticaloa District, with residents reporting that elephant-related disturbances are no longer confined to rural areas but are increasingly affecting urban localities as well.

Authorities are continuing operations to safely relocate the animals while ensuring the safety of the public.