A man has been arrested in the indigenous village of Mahiyanganaya with a stock of elephant pearls valued at over Rs. 30 million.
The suspect was taken into custody on Friday (17) during a joint operation conducted by wildlife officers from Wilpattu, Ritigala, and Mahiyanganaya, based on intelligence received by security forces.
According to officials, the arrest followed months of investigation and led to the seizure of the largest stock of elephant pearls ever recovered in Sri Lanka.
During the raid, officers also seized 30 elephant pearls, parts of a leopard’s skin, a section of an elephant tusk, leopard oil, pieces of the karuwala plant, a locally manufactured firearm, animal traps, and parts of the dambha plant — a species protected under the country’s wildlife and flora laws.
Investigations have revealed that the suspect had been engaged in this illegal trade for some time, crafting ornaments and other items using elephant tusks.
The suspect is currently in wildlife custody and will be produced before court following further investigations. (NewsWire)