Probe into release of four elephants from Pinnawala in 2015

Police Special Investigation Unit Director SSP D. C. Wickramasinghe yesterday informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that an investigation

has been initiated regarding the illegal release of four elephants as per an order issued by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

He also noted that the Director General of the Department of Forest Conservation had released three elephants, who were detained at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, to a person called Mahinda Galappatti and another one elephant to Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya as well.

“The Director General of the Department of Forest Conservation made this discharge following the order given by the Additional Secretary of the former President in 2015,” he added.

He further pointed out that the necessary steps will be taken to record statements from the Additional Secretary of the former President Kingsley Fernando and the Director General of the Department of Forest Conservation regarding the incident.

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the Director General of the Department of Forest Conservation to provide necessary assistance for the Police to conduct this investigation. The Magistrate made this order subsequent to a request made by SSP D.C.Wickramasinghe.