Event
Elephant calf “Sakura” case, Colombo High Court
See on the map
Details
- Court
- Colombo High Court
- Allegation
- Keeping an elephant calf named Sakura, valued at Rs. 6,970,000, on a forged licence, an offence under the Public Properties Act; 25 counts against Thilina Gamage and three others
- Status
- Indictment filed July 2019; the court acquitted Thilina Gamage on 16 December 2021 and ordered the other three defendants to present their defence
Connections (2)
- Thilina Gamage / Indicted in, July 2019; acquitted, December 2021 / Elephant calf “Sakura” case, Colombo High Court
- In May 2014, as Colombo Fort Magistrate, he rejected allegations that he was rearing an elephant without a valid licence and said he held one. He wrote to the Speaker, the JSC Secretary, the Parliament Secretary General and the Government Chief Whip saying so, and said he bought the elephant from a person in Meegoda. The report does not name the Speaker.9 May 2014 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · I have a valid licence to rear an elephant -Judge
- On 19 July 2019 the Attorney General indicted him and three others on 25 counts for keeping the calf Sakura with a forged licence, valued at Rs. 6,970,000.19 Jul 2019 · Ada Derana · AG filed indictments against suspended magistrate over elephant calf
- On 16 December 2021 Judge Damith Thotawatte acquitted him, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. The other defendants were not acquitted.16 Dec 2021 · Ada Derana · Thilina Gamage acquitted from elephant calf case
- Judicial Service Commission / Sent the accused magistrate on compulsory leave over, May 2016 / Elephant calf “Sakura” case, Colombo High Court