The case filed against four accused, including former Magistrate Thilina Gamage, over the unlawful possession of an elephant calf named Sakura valued at Rs.6.9 million, was yesterday fixed for further trial on January 14 by the Colombo High Court.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulathunga, and prosecution witness Wildlife Conservation Department Deputy Director-General K.D. Rathnayake testified before the court.
The Attorney-General had filed indictments against former Magistrate Thilina Gamage, Chandrarathna Bandara Yatawara, and Wildlife officers Upali Padmasiri and Priyanka Sanjeewani under 25 counts; including possession of an elephant calf without a licence, conspiracy to tender false documents, and registration of the said elephant calf by producing forged documents. The charges were filed over violating the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Ordinance and Public Property Act.
The Attorney-General maintained that, due to the fact that the accused did not have a licence to possess the elephant calf, it falls under the category of Public Property.
Therefore, the charges have been filed under Public Property Act over the possession of an elephant calf stolen from a forest. Deputy Solicitor-General Dileepa Peiris appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General.
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