Sri Lankan authorities have arrested five more suspects in connection with the shooting of Kavantissa, one of the country’s most iconic wild elephants.
The arrests were made during a series of joint operations involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Strike Force and the Police.
Wildlife officials said the five suspects are also believed to have links to other illegal activities. They are currently being questioned by wildlife officers and Galgamuwa Police as investigations continue.
Authorities are also investigating whether an organised criminal network targeting wild animals was operating in the area and whether the firearm used in the shooting is linked to other offences.
Earlier, a Skills Development Officer attached to the Ehetuwewa Divisional Secretariat was arrested in connection with the shooting. Police recovered a foreign-manufactured 12-bore firearm, a locally made firearm and 24 rounds of ammunition from his possession.
Another suspect linked to the incident was subsequently arrested in Hunugallewa. Both suspects are due to be produced before the Mahawa Magistrate’s Court.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a separate investigation into Kavantissa’s death. A CID team has been dispatched to Usgala Siyambalangamuwa to gather evidence and conduct further inquiries.
The investigation was initiated following complaints made by the Ministry of Environment, which requested the CID and Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s death.
Acting Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya has directed the CID to submit a report on the investigation by November 17, including its findings, observations and recommendations. The investigation is to be supervised by an Assistant Superintendent of Police or a senior officer.
Kavantissa was widely recognised by the public and became a prominent symbol of Sri Lanka’s wildlife heritage. He was considered one of the largest and tallest wild elephants recorded in the country’s natural habitat.
The elephant suffered a gunshot injury to its front right leg on September 23. After weeks of concern over its condition, Kavantissa was found dead last Friday in a paddy field in the Usgala Siyambalangamuwa Yaya 03 area under the jurisdiction of the Meegalewa Wildlife Office.
Final rites for the elephant were conducted over the weekend, while samples from the carcass have been sent to a panel of experts at the University of Peradeniya for scientific examination.
Authorities expect the analysis to help determine the precise cause of death and provide further evidence for the ongoing investigation.
