A 10-year-old elephant calf died this morning after being struck by a container truck in the Hirivadunna area of Habarana. 

According to police, the accident occurred on the Habarana–Dambulla road as the calf, which was part of a herd from Hiriwadunna Lake, was crossing.

Despite receiving emergency treatment from wildlife officials who rushed to the scene, the calf succumbed to its injuries. 

The truck, which was transporting cement from Trincomalee, and its driver, a resident of Kekirawa, have been taken into police custody. 

Habarana Police and the Minneriya Wildlife Office are conducting further investigations.