Kavantissa shooting probe handed over to CID as court rules tusker covered by Public Property Act

By The Pulseline News Desk

The investigation into the shooting of Kavantissa, a tusker whose killing sparked public concern, has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following an order by the Mahawa Magistrate’s Court.

The court, on Wednesday (11), directed the Department of Wildlife Conservation to transfer the investigation to the CID when the case was taken up before Mahawa Magistrate Anuruddhika Seneviratne.

A key issue during the proceedings was whether elephants and tuskers fall within the scope of the Public Property Act, with the defence challenging the applicability of the law to the animals.

Rejecting the argument, Magistrate Seneviratne has held that it was the position of her court that elephants and tuskers are covered under the Public Property Act.

Accordingly, she has directed the Department of Wildlife Conservation to present facts against the suspects under the provisions of the Act when the case is next taken up.

The Magistrate has also stated that the court does not have the authority to grant bail to the two suspects arrested in connection with the shooting, including a Skills Development Officer.

Both suspects were ordered to be further remanded until the next hearing, scheduled for November 25.

The transfer of the investigation to the CID marks a further development in the inquiry into the shooting of Kavantissa, while the court’s position on the applicability of the Public Property Act could have significant implications for the legal proceedings against those accused.