Badagiriya residents protest against tavern

COLOMBO (News1st): Residents of Badagiriya in Hambantota protested against the construction of a tavern in their area that has been facing problems posed by wild elephants. "We don't need a tavern. What we need is an electric fence to protect ourselves from the elephants," a protestor said. Residents claimed that a 27-year-old individual had been killed in a brawl that had taken place a few days after the tavern had been opened. News1st's correspondents reported that the residents have planned to stage another protest if the tavern is not closed down in the area.