The story of 'turtle meat' found in the fridge at the house of the former chief priest of Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhi

The incident of finding wild animal meat, live tortoises, and an ivory bracelet from the refrigerator and garden of the former chief kapurala (priest) of the Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhi has taken a new turn. Following a complaint made by the former chief kapurala to the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, alleging that wildlife officers who raided his house violated his fundamental human rights, seven officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation have been summoned to appear before the Anuradhapura District Office on the upcoming 16th.

This complaint has been lodged by the former chief kapurala, B. Jayawardena, residing at Vihara Kallanchiya, Vihara Palugama, Anuradhapura. He informed the commission that on November 18, 2025, a group of wildlife officers, armed and dressed in official and civilian attire, inspected his house. When asked if they had a court order to search the house, the officers stated that such an order was not required.

During this controversial raid, officers found deer meat, pangolin meat, mouse deer meat, tortoise meat, and 14 tortoise eggs in the house's refrigerator. In addition, six star tortoises found in a pond and a barrel in the house, as well as an ivory bracelet, were taken into wildlife custody. However, regarding the types of wild animal meat found in the refrigerator, the kapurala stated to the officers that they were kept for a 'ritual offering'.

The complainant states that during the raid, he was made to open the safe in the house. The money found in the safe was taken into custody by the officers, who questioned how it was obtained. Mr. Jayawardena informed the commission that he explained to the officers that the money included income from the flower shop related to his chief kapurala position and and funds kept for his daughter's overseas travel after pawning the vehicle's logbook.

The former chief kapurala emphasizes that due to the actions of the wildlife officers, severe disrepute and a blemish have been brought upon the name of the sacred place where he serves, his position, and the temple lands (viharagam). As this has violated his and his family members' rights, he requests a formal investigation into the matter.

Accordingly, summons have been issued to the following officers: Anuradhapura District Assistant Director of Wildlife Channa Suraweera, Pimburettawa Range Officer B.T.K. Perera, Ritigala Wildlife Range Officer W.M.A.B. Wijesinghe, Range Officer J.A.N.L. Jayasuriya, Range Officer S.S.A. Wickramarathne, Wildlife Range Assistant S.R.M. Adhikari, and Wildlife Warden S.M.S.K. Senevirathne.

However, there is a notable peculiarity in this entire incident. The name of Mr. D. Ramasinghe, the Wildlife Range Officer of the Ritigala Wildlife Office, who was the main officer who went to the former chief kapurala's house with a group of wildlife officers, ordered and directed this raid, has not been named as a respondent in the complaint submitted to the Human Rights Commission.