Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate Dasuni Hapuarachchi yesterday (October 26, 2026) ordered the Range Forest Officer of the Ritigala Wildlife Office to file formal charges in court against the Chief Lay Custodian (Chief Kapu Mahatha) of the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi upper precinct.
The directives follow an ongoing investigation regarding the suspect’s alleged possession of sambar deer meat, pangolin meat, mouse deer meat, tortoise meat, 14 tortoise eggs, six live star tortoises, and an ornamental piece crafted from elephant ivory.
The suspect, who had previously been remanded in connection with the wildlife contraband seizure, is currently out on bail. (Newswire)
