The case filed against Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias Ali Roshan and six others for allegedly keeping four elephants in their possession without valid permits, was yesterday fixed for day-to-day trial by the Permanent High Court.
The Trial-at-Bar bench comprising High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne fixed the case to be heard on a day-to-day basis from February 13.
The court had served indictments on seven accused including two wildlife officers earlier.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against Samarappulige Niraj Roshan,
Wildlife Officers Upali Padmasiri and Priyanka Sanjeewani, Gihan Dhammika, Chandana Kumara, S. Gamlath and Gamage Jayalath for conspiring to possess four elephants without permits between June 5, 2012 and August 31, 2015.
They have been charged under 24 counts for violating the provisions of Fauna and Flora Ordinance and Public Property Act.
It is alleged that the first accused Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias Ali Roshan was the mastermind behind the racket where illegally caught wild elephant calves was sold to third parties.
The Attorney General has listed 15 items as production items and named 30 individuals including two veterinary surgeons of the Wildlife Department and two professors of the Peradeniya University's Veterinary Department as witnesses.
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