A commotion due to an agitated Arjuna

During the annual Vesak Perahera (procession) held at the Buduraja Maha Viharaya in Dikwella, Wewrukannala, the elephant named 'Arjuna', belonging to the temple, became agitated, causing great fear among the people watching the procession. This incident was reported on the last 31st, around 4:30 PM, near the Kondeniya Junction, where the most remarkable event was a disabled elder miraculously escaping an attack by the enraged elephant.

The procession, which began around 2:10 PM that day with the sacred relic casket, was moving towards Dikwella town via Yonakapura along the old Beliatta-Matara main road. As it approached the Kondeniya Junction, the elephant Arjuna suddenly became restless, spun around in the middle of the road, and severely attacked its mahout. Due to this, the dance troupes participating in the procession, as well as the spectators, became extremely agitated, overturning their belongings and fleeing in all directions for safety.

The mahout, who was thrown off by the elephant's attack, returned and tried to control the animal by hanging onto its tail and diverting its attention, but this was unsuccessful. It was also reported that at that moment, some intoxicated individuals behaved recklessly, ignoring even the warnings of the surrounding crowd.

The extremely restless elephant then suddenly ran towards a disabled elder who was sitting on the ground by the roadside, watching the procession. The helpless elder, unable to move away, was seen joining his hands, bowing to the elephant, and pleading for his life to be spared. Women and small children on the upper floor of a nearby house, witnessing this emotional moment, cried and wailed in unison, appealing to Lord Buddha to save the helpless man's life.

Amidst the shouts and pleas of the people, the elephant, which had extended its trunk towards the disabled person, suddenly changed its demeanor and slowly moved backward without causing him any harm. The elephant's anger was seen subsiding, returning to a normal state, and several people nearby, taking advantage of this moment, immediately came forward and safely removed the disabled elder from the spot. Subsequent police investigations confirmed that the mahout's intoxicated behavior was the main reason for this agitation. Residents further stated that he was also intoxicated during the daytime before the procession began and had been assaulted by another person.