Mahawa Magistrate Anuradha Seneviratne has ordered officers of the Galgamuwa Wildlife Office to submit the analyst report issued by the Government Analyst on the 02 firearms produced before the court in connection with the shooting of tusker Kawanthissa.
The Magistrate issued the order after considering a request from officers of the Galgamuwa Wildlife Office, who presented the facts to the court.
The 02 suspects, including a Skills Development Officer attached to the Ehetuwewa Divisional Secretariat, who are suspected of shooting Kawanthissa using the relevant 02 firearms, remain in remand custody until Oct. 28, in accordance with an order issued by the Magistrate on Oct. 20.
The suspects were arrested during a special joint raid conducted by police officers and wildlife officials under the direction of Walana Anti-Corruption Unit Director ASP Rohan Olugala.
The operation was carried out in accordance with an order issued by Galgamuwa Acting Magistrate Chathurika Hathurusinghe on Oct. 18.
Wildlife officers from the Galgamuwa Wildlife Office appeared for the prosecution on the instructions of the Department of Wildlife Conservation Director General Ranjan Marasinghe.
Attorney-at-Law Udaya Rajapaksa appeared for the suspects.
Attorney-at-Law Sandagiri Bandara appeared on behalf of the Sri Lankan branch of the World Elephant Organisation, on the instructions of Senior Attorney-at-Law Vijitha Wickramanayake.