Aged between 25 – 30 years, the tusker was shot dead in its sleep near the Karuwalagas Wewa around five months ago.

The suspects have confessed to police that they had beheaded the animal, kept the head for several days and then made away with the tusks.

Police found the two tusks buried at Kadugannawa and about to be sold for Rs. 500,000.

The suspects were to be produced before the Kekirawa magistrate today (03).

(pics: W.A. Piyatilake)