The Mahawa Magistrate's Court has issued a strict order to the authorities to confirm, through a scientific report, whether the tragic fate of the tusker Kavantissa was determined by a gunshot or due to the excessive administration of antibiotics. Although Magistrate Ms. Anuradha Seneviratne yesterday (28th) ordered the two suspects, including the skills development officer arrested in connection with the elephant's killing, to be further remanded until November 11th, the investigation process of the wildlife officers faced a severe judicial challenge.
Officers from the Galgamuwa Wildlife Office informed the court that they had arrested these suspects and two firearms based on preliminary information obtained from a tea shop owner, by disguising themselves as a tele-drama film crew. They also stated that during searches of suspicious houses in Hulugallaewa village, Ambanpola, where the suspects reside, more illegal firearms and venison were found. Wildlife officers requested the court not to grant bail to the suspects as a further extensive investigation is being conducted into the incident.
However, Attorney Udaya Rajapaksa, appearing for the suspects, severely questioned this investigation process. He stated that it was clear that the wildlife officers had genuinely "acted out a tele-drama" and questioned how an unsubstantiated statement given by a person in a tea shop could become legal evidence. He challenged that there was no progress in the investigations conducted during the eight days the suspects were incarcerated, and if there was even a single piece of minor evidence that his clients shot Kavantissa, it should be presented to the court. The lawyer accused this of being merely an unsuccessful attempt by wildlife officers to score points, and pointed out that by publicizing his clients as criminals through social media without any evidence, severe prejudice has been caused to their jobs and families. He further stated at length that although an elephant is declared public property, it has not yet been legally enacted.
Meanwhile, a serious revelation emerged from lawyers advocating for environmental and animal rights regarding the true tragedy behind Kavantissa's death. Attorneys Vijitha Wickramanayake and Sandagiri Bandara, representing the Sri Lanka branch of the World Elephant Conservation Organization, emphasized that the shooting of Kavantissa was not an isolated incident, and that this death was caused by the collective negligence and inefficiency of a group. Even more shockingly, they informed the court that information had been received indicating that the elephant's death was caused by the excessive administration of medication.
Mr. Ravindra Irugalbandara, speaking on behalf of the 'Surakimu Ali Ethun' (Let's Protect Elephants) organization, stated that this killing incident has caused great controversy both locally and internationally. He declared that Kavantissa had been shot in a leg and the abdomen, and requested that if there is an eyewitness to the shooting, as stated by wildlife officers, proper protection should be provided to him and his statement recorded.
Taking all these facts into consideration, the Magistrate rejected the request to release the suspects on any bail condition but imposed strict conditions on the wildlife officers regarding the investigation process. She ordered that the investigation report by the Government Analyst regarding the firearms and ammunition seized with the suspects, Kavantissa's post-mortem report, and a scientific report confirming whether the true cause of death was a gunshot or excessive administration of antibiotics, must be submitted to the court without fail on the next court date. It was also ordered that if the remanded suspects are connected to this crime, how they are connected must be reported with evidence on the next court date. The Magistrate sternly informed the wildlife officers that if they fail to present acceptable evidence and if the investigations appear to be slow, the court would have to consider that situation as advantageous to the suspects.
Furthermore, the OIC of Ambanpola Police Station was ordered to investigate and report on the allegation made by Attorney Buddhika Lekamge, who appeared on behalf of the villagers, that wildlife officers conducting investigations were threatening the people of Hulugallaewa village, Ambanpola, and forcibly collecting evidence. The Magistrate emphasized to all parties that no information circulating through media and social media regarding the killing of Kavantissa the elephant is relevant to the case, and adjourned the trial, giving a clear message to the entire process that justice relies solely on confirmed evidence.
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