The three suspects arrested in connection with the burning and torture of a wild elephant in the Seeppukulam area have been remanded in custody until further notice.
The suspects were produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (24), where Additional Magistrate Ms. Lakmali Hettiarachchi ordered that they be remanded. The court also denied bail, citing the possibility of public unrest and protests if the suspects were released.
The arrests followed an investigation by the Mihintale Police after a disturbing video circulated on social media, showing a wild elephant being burned and subjected to severe cruelty. The footage sparked widespread public outrage, prompting swift police action.
The injured elephant later died in the Seeppukulam area a few days after the incident. A post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was kidney and liver disease, compounded by shock resulting from burn injuries.
The three suspects, aged 42, 48, and 50, are residents of the same area. Further investigations into the incident are continuing.
