The Thera had stated that he had kept and taken care of an elephant calf which was abandoned at his temple - the Alanmathiniyaramaya.
However, the statement of the mahout who had take care of the animal had contradicted with the Thera's statement. The mahout has said that the Thera had purchased the calf from 'Ali Roshan' and tasked him with its' care.
Lies
In this backdrop the recent statement made by the Thera is a joke and a lie, said a highly placed police official.
Noting that elephants are considered as a national treasure, the officer said it cannot be possessed and raised in a secretive manner even if a calf was abandoned at the temple gates in the manner mentioned by the Thera.
Also, the law does not allow a wild animal to be treated like a domesticated cat or dog, he added.
There is a legal procedure that needs to be completed if an elephant calf is held in this manner, and the Thera had overlooked this.
AG advice
With the statement of the mahout coming to light, legal redress is to be sought against Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera under the Wildlife ordinance.
All evidence pertaining to this case has been produced before the judiciary and after receiving all relevant dossiers, the Attorney General has directed to arrest the Thera.
Also, a special probe has been initiated on seven other Buddhist monks linked to this elephant trafficking.
On a separate note, the CID recently seized the elephant calf that was purchased by Sajin Vass Gunawardena from the Ven. Kolonnawe Sumangala Thera of the Dewram Vehera.
Police officers say that they are unable to exercise law with regard to others involved in elephant trafficking as measures are not being initiated against Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera even despite the AG advice.
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