Suspected tusker tusk theft officer remanded

• A former Civil Defence Force officer was arrested in connection with the suspected removal of a tusk from a dead elephant in Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura.1
• Wildlife officers conducted a special search operation and recovered items including a hacksaw and plant material believed to have been taken from where the animal died.1
• Wildlife officers arrested a former Civil Security officer suspected of cutting off the tusk of an elephant found dead in Kumbukwewa, Meeminnawala, Kahatagasdigiliya.3
• The suspect was remanded until November 18 after being produced before the Kahatagasdigiliya Magistrate's Court.3
• The Department of Wildlife Conservation said a post-mortem examination took place and they recovered the right tusk and remaining portion of the left tusk from the dead tusker.1
• Officers also found an explosive device made using two petrol bottles and elephant firecrackers at the suspect's residence.3
• The suspect was arrested by officers under the guidance of Anuradhapura Wildlife Range Officer Dhammika Sanjeewa.3

1 NewsWire English · 2 Ada Derana · 3 Asian Mirror