13 hospitalised in Sri Lanka after elephant rampage

Colombo: Around 13 people were injured on Saturday night after an elephant went on a rampage during a religious event in southern Sri Lanka, the police said on Sunday.

The Ruhunu Kataragama Mahadevala procession is a major religious and cultural event held at Kataragama, in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka.

The injured are being treated at the local hospital, and no one was critically injured, the police said.

Elephants decorated with colorful garments are a major attraction and tradition in Sri Lanka's religious events, but elephant rampages during these events are also common.

The police have urged people not to make loud noises during processions to ensure that elephants remain calm.