Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate Dasuni Hapuarachchi ordered the Forest Officer of the Ritigala Wildlife Office to file formal charges against the Chief Lay Custodian of the upper precinct of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The arrested suspect has been identified as B. Jayawardena, a 50-year-old resident of Anuradhapura
The order was issued in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged possession of wildlife-related contraband by the suspect.
The items allegedly found in the suspect’s possession include sambar deer meat, pangolin meat, mouse deer meat, tortoise meat, 14 tortoise eggs, six live star tortoises, and an ornamental item made from elephant ivory.
The suspect, who was previously remanded in connection with the seizure, has since been released on bail.
