At least 13 people were injured when an elephant went berserk during the Ruhunu Kataragama Perahera on Saturday night (6), according to Kataragama Police.

According to the Police, the incident happened shortly after the procession started, and spectators had fled in panic as the elephant became uncontrollable, resulting in the injuries.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (7), an official from the Kataragama District Hospital said that no new admissions had been reported by yesterday evening in connection with the incident. The sources confirmed that none of the injuries are severe. "As soon as the injured individuals were admitted, all the possible swift medical attention was provided, ensuring all affected individuals received appropriate care. Some individuals who have minor injuries will be discharged shortly," the sources said.

The temple management is reportedly investigating the cause of the elephant's sudden behaviour, and have promised to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The Ruhunu Kataragama Perahera is a major cultural event, and ensuring the safety of participants and attendees should be a top priority.

However, the attempts made to contact the management of the temple regarding the investigation proved futile.