Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendige announced that a wildlife hospital and a mobile medical unit will be established soon to treat elephants suffering from illnesses, particularly as gunshot incidents involving elephants have increased.

The minister made these remarks while observing an elephant in critical condition due to a gunshot wound in the Polonnaruwa wildlife zone.

Treatment has already begun for the elephant, which sustained a severe injury to its right leg from a gunshot. Officials from the Kalundewa wildlife unit are providing the elephant with necessary food, water, and other facilities.

As of today, the injured elephant has shown slight movement in its front leg, an improvement from its previous condition.

The Environment Minister instructed the Wildlife Department to expedite treatment for the elephant, providing all necessary facilities, and to quickly conduct scan tests and blood sample tests.