- Pera Uni in charge of post-mortem
Two suspects have been arrested and remanded until 28 October over the death of tusker Kavantissa, with three separate investigations now underway into the incident, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday (20).
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, he said the suspects were arrested following information provided by the public to the Western Province Range Forest Office. The arrests were made by the Walana Central Anti Vice Striking Force.
Several firearms and ammunition were recovered from the residence of the first suspect, while the second was arrested based on evidence gathered during the investigation, he said.
Dr Jayatissa clarified that four other individuals arrested by the Striking Force had been taken into custody over unrelated matters. Further action would be taken based on evidence uncovered as the investigations progressed, he added.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting a separate investigation into the tusker’s death, while an internal inquiry is also underway with the involvement of officials from outside the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).
The internal inquiry includes the Director of the National Zoological Gardens Department, a Director from the Environment Ministry and three senior lecturers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya.
Dr Jayatissa said the post-mortem examination had been assigned to the University of Peradeniya’s Veterinary Division on court orders, with the Division expected to submit its findings to the court.
Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a six-member expert committee to investigate the death of Kavantissa in the Siyambalangamuwa area of Galgamuwa on or around 16 October and recommend measures to improve wild elephant welfare and conservation.
The committee, chaired by former Ministry Secretary A H Sarath Wijesinghe, comprises Professors T. Saminda Fernando, A G Anil Pushpakumara and U K Kalinga Padmalal, along with attorneys Dr Jagath Gunawardena and Charaka Jayaratne. Additional Secretary to the President W W Harrison will coordinate its work.
The committee has been tasked with examining the immediate and underlying causes of the elephant’s death, including whether there were any lapses or negligence in its treatment. It will also develop standard operating procedures for wild elephant welfare and make recommendations for a national elephant conservation programme.
The panel may seek assistance from local and international experts and is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the President within 30 days, including its findings and a proposed framework for the standard operating procedures.