Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Suspects Arrested for Horrific Elephant Burning in Sri Lanka

12/19/2025

26 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On December 18, Sri Lankan police arrested suspects after a video showed them setting a wild elephant on fire.
The suspects were aged 42–50 and detained in Anuradhapura until December 24.
Wildlife officials said the elephant had been shot before it was set ablaze.
Elephants are sacred in Sri Lanka and protected by law, while human-elephant conflict kills about 400 elephants and 200 people annually.

1 of 1

Story summary

On December 18, Sri Lankan police arrested suspects after a video showed them setting a wild elephant on fire.
The suspects were aged 42–50 and detained in Anuradhapura until December 24.
Wildlife officials said the elephant had been shot before it was set ablaze.
Elephants are sacred in Sri Lanka and protected by law, while human-elephant conflict kills about 400 elephants and 200 people annually.