An elderly woman in a group of pilgrims on Pada Yatra through the Yala sanctuary to attend the Kataragama Esala festival was trampled to death by a wild elephant last evening (13).
The victim, Nilakamma Irashathurai (63) was from Madavippuram, Trincomalee. She was among a group of pilgrims including her husband and several relatives set off on their journey by foot from Trincomalee three days ago.
Her body was referred to Debarawewa base hospital by the wildlife conservators with the help of the police and the security forces. Kataragama police are conducting further investigations.
