Colombo, Jul 24 (IANS): The Sri Lankan navy rescued two young elephants washed out to the sea from drowning on the coast of Trincomalee.

This incident is the second of its kind after a team of naval officers earlier this month saved an elephant struggling to keep afloat after it was swept into the rough seas off the island's northern coast, reports Xinhua news agency.

After the two distressed jumbos were first noticed by an Inshore Patrol Craft on routine sea patrol on Sunday, a combined rescue mission was launched by the navy and the officials from the Department of Wildlife in Trincomalee.

Responding to the situation, the navy augmented the rescue mission by deploying three more Fast Attack Craft on patrol and a team of navy divers.

After being safely guided to the shore, the two elephants were subsequently released to the Foul Point jungle, the navy said.

In the earlier rescue mission, the navy said the jumbo had likely got swept into the sea while crossing the Kokkilai lagoon, a large stretch of water that lies between two forest areas.