University student who burned and killed a disabled wild elephant to court

Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate Ms. Dasuni Hapuarachchi has ordered the Mihintale Police to send the mobile phone of the university student who video-recorded the cruel incident of burning and killing a disabled wild elephant with torches to the Government Analyst and to summon the relevant report to the court. This order was issued by the Magistrate when the case related to the killing of this helpless wild elephant, which had severe vision problems and difficulty walking, was recalled on the 23rd of last month at the Anuradhapura No. 2 Additional Magistrate's Court.

The suspects accused in connection with this inhumane crime have been remanded and subsequently released on bail. J.M. Sisira Senadheera, J.M. Prasanna Chalinda Kumara, and J.M. Wasantha Wijayakumara, who are relatives from the same family residing at Ambagahawela Junction in the Seepukulam area of Mihintale, are the suspects currently out on bail. Government Counsel Kalana Kothalawala, representing the Attorney General on behalf of the Department of Wildlife, is currently taking the necessary legal steps to file a case against these suspects under the Public Property Act.

When the case was called, Chief Police Inspector Ranjith Chandrasiri, the OIC of Mihintale Police, and Sergeant Bandara (33198), along with officials from the Department of Wildlife, appeared before the court representing the complainant party. Attorneys Nalin Dimuthu Bandara, Indunil Hettiarachchi, and Priyadarshani Attanayake made submissions on behalf of the suspects. Additionally, as observing parties, Attorney Chathura Dhananjaya Ranatunga, along with Attorneys Thaksala Ekanayake and Ruwini Jayathilaka, representing the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and Attorney Maduka Salvador, along with Attorneys Susil Siriwardena and Pradeep Dissanayake, representing the Surakimu Lanka organization, also appeared before the court.