A former Civil Security officer suspected of cutting off a tusk from a tusker found dead in Kumbukwewa, Meeminnawala, Kahatagasdigiliya, was remanded until 18 November.
The 34-year-old suspect was arrested by officers of the Kahatagasdigiliya Wildlife Range Office under the guidance of Anuradhapura Wildlife Range Officer Dhammika Sanjeewa.
During searches of his home and cultivation hut, officers recovered an elephant deterrent firecracker, a petrol-based explosive device, a trap gun, a bag containing gunpowder and related equipment, a curved knife and a hacksaw.
They also found several wooden poles suspected to have been cut from the location where the tusker’s carcass was discovered.
Wildlife officers suspect that the hacksaw was used to remove the tusk.
The suspect was produced before the Kahatagasdigiliya Magistrate’s Court today (5), which ordered that he be remanded until 18 November.
