CID Seeks AG's Advice On Investigations Into Unregistered Elephant Cub At Dhammaloka Thera's Temple

The CID this morning informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris that they have sought the Attorney General's advice over the incident where an elephant cub was discovered at Alan Mathiniyaramaya.

The discovery was made in January 2015 and the two-and-a-half-year-old elephant calf was taken into custody by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The baby elephant was not registered under the name of Chief Incumbent Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera or the temple.

The CID informed court today that they have already recorded a statement from Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera.

Meanwhile, the CID also informed court that it had called for two reports on the matter from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Buddha Sasana Ministry, to ascertain if a baby elephant could be kept in a temple for its religious or other related purposes. The CID was yet to receive there reports, the court was informed.

Former MP Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera was summoned to the CID on January 13 to record a statement. However, he was admitted to a private hospital, which delayed the CID from obtaining a statement.