Mahawa magistrate remands Kavantissa tusker shooting suspects and transfers probe to CID
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On 11 November, Mahawa Magistrate Anuruddhika Seneviratne ordered the Galgamuwa Wildlife Office to transfer proceedings regarding the shooting of the tusker Kavantissa to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Ruling that wild elephants fall under the Offences against Public Property Act, the magistrate stated the court lacked jurisdiction to grant bail. She remanded two suspects, including a Skills Development Officer, until 25 November.
An interim post-mortem report submitted by University of Peradeniya Professor P.P.M.A. Wijesundara revealed three bullet fragments or lead pellets in the tusker's abdomen. The magistrate ordered them sent to the Government Analyst to test against two seized firearms.
Lawyers representing the Protect Elephant World Global Association also warned the court that wild elephants face severe threats from YouTubers seeking commercial profit.
