At least seven court cases related to the brutal killing of wild elephants—some by gunfire and others electrocuted—are currently being heard across multiple Magistrate Courts in Sri Lanka.

Four of these cases are being heard before the Kekirawa Magistrate’s Court, all concerning the illegal killing of tuskers known by the names Rana, Revatha, Deega Danthu I (the long-tusked one), and Sumedha. These elephants were well known in their regions and held ecological and cultural significance.

Another case, related to the killing of the elephant known as Unicorn, is being heard at the Hingurakgoda Magistrate’s Court.

In addition, two more cases are being heard at the Kebithigollewa and Maho Magistrate Courts. One of them concerns the killing of Maheshakhya, an elephant that was shot, fell to the ground alive, and had its tusk hacked off with an axe before it died. The most recent case involves the death of the elephant Hathiya, who was shot and succumbed to his injuries after two months of veterinary treatment. This case is also under judicial review.

In a rare move, several parties have appeared in court as interveners advocating for justice for the slain elephants and protection of wildlife rights. These include:

• Justice for Animals and Nature, represented by senior attorney Anuruddha Wijayaratne, acting on the advice of President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda. The group is chaired by Southern Province’s senior Buddhist monk, Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera.
• Global Organization for Elephant Conservation, represented by senior counsel Vijitha Wickramanayake.
• Wildlife officers from Galgamuwa, Onneriya, Medawachchiya, and Ohoma offices, who have appeared for the complainant party.

Magistrates presiding over these cases include Udaya Gunasekara (Kekirawa), Duminda Prashasthi Karunaratne (Hingurakgoda), Nimeshika Pabandi (Kඑbithigollewa), and Kanchani Narthani Abhimani Senaviratne (Maho).