The CID has now ascertained that the Thera was connected to a deal to sell an elephant to Sambodhi Vihara.

Investigators will also expedite investigations into Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, who is out on bail after allegedly having kept an elephant illegally.

Investigations are underway as well into two baby elephants kept illegally by ex-defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and another by Maj. Neville, a bodyguard of the former president.

However, investigators are under pressure by top government politicians to cover up all these investigations.