The Colombo High Court today (Jul 23) issued summons on an interdicted additional magistrate and three others to receive indictments over an elephant calf case on August 30.
The suspects have been accused over the illegal possession of an elephant calf named ‘Sakura’ between November 06, 2008 and May 18, 2015.
Charges have been filed under 24 counts against the suspects under the Public Property Act.
Investigations over this matter had been launched after former Wildlife Minister Wasantha Senanayake had filed a complaint at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the matter.
Suspended Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage, the Wildlife Department’s legal director Upali Padmasiri, a former officer attached to the Wildlife Department, and Chandrasena Bandara, an individual claiming to be the owner of the elephant have been named as accused over the case.
The Attorney General has informed court that 25 persons would be named as witnesses to give evidence over the case.
A Sri Lankan man was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi airport for attempting to smuggle wildlife out of the country after three ball pythons were found hidden in his underwear, the Bangkok post reported.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
Read these and more on tomorrow’s edition of the Sunday Times
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