The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has officially suspended the duties of Thilina Gamage, who was serving as the District Judge and Magistrate of Moratuwa, in connection with an ongoing investigation into serious allegations of misconduct, sources confirmed to The Sunday Morning.  

This latest action follows a renewed inquiry into Gamage’s alleged involvement in the illegal possession of a baby elephant named Sakura. The case has attracted significant public and legal attention over the years. 

In June, the JSC had filed a fresh charge sheet against Gamage, reopening disciplinary proceedings that were previously dismissed.

The misconduct allegations stem from allegations that Gamage had unlawfully possessed the elephant using a permit obtained through fraudulent means. 

The case, originally investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), dates back to 2015. 

Following the investigation, the elephant was recovered and returned to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in May of that year.

In May 2016, the JSC had previously suspended Gamage when he was serving as the Additional Magistrate of Colombo, citing concerns over the same incident. 

Legal proceedings intensified in November 2019 when the Attorney General filed indictments before Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga against Gamage, Chandrarathna Bandara Yatawara, and two others. Gamage was charged with an offence under the Public Property Act, and the case included 25 separate indictments.

However, on 16 December 2021, the Attorney General’s Department withdrew all charges against Gamage, citing insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution. 

Despite the case being dropped, the JSC has now decided to revisit the matter from a disciplinary standpoint, independent of the criminal proceedings.