Three suspects were arrested on Monday in Mawanella while attempting to sell two elephant tusks valued at Rs. 20 million, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said.
The arrests were carried out by Air Force intelligence officers in collaboration with wildlife officials, following close surveillance and a tip-off. The suspects were apprehended near the Mawanella Muslim mosque.
Following the arrest, the suspects and the seized tusks were taken to the Kurunegala Assistant Director’s Office and later produced before the Aranayake Tourist Magistrate’s Court within the Mawanella jurisdiction yesterday (06 January).
The Magistrate ordered the suspects to be released on bail of Rs. 400,000 each and fixed the case for hearing on February 03.
The raid was conducted under the instructions of the Assistant Directors of Wildlife in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala, with the participation of officers from the Anuradhapura Assistant Director’s Office, the Kukulkatuwa Beat Office, the Ritigala Reserve Office, Air Force officers from Meerigama, and members of the Special Task Force.
