AG files indictments in Welikada prison riot and elephant trafficking cases

Friday, 5 July 2019 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Indictments served day after CJ appoints Trials-at-Bar
Dates given for accused to appear in Court

The Attorney General yesterday filed indictments in the Welikada prison riot case as well as in an elephant trafficking case, a day after Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya decided both cases would be heard before Trials-at-Bar.

In the Welikada prison case, the notice was issued on the three accused to appear in court on 18 July.

The accused in the Welikada prison case are former OIC of the Police Narcotics Bureau Moses Neomal Rangajeewa, former Superintendent of Welikada Prions Emil Ranjan, and a former Prisons Intelligence Unit officer Indika Sampath. The latter is absconding.

In the elephant trafficking case, notice was issued on eight accused to appear in court on 25 July.

The accused in the elephant trafficking case include Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’, an Assistant Director of the Wildlife Conservation Department and six others.

They stand accused of violating the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Ordinance, as well as the Public Property Act, including trafficking of elephants and unlawful possession of elephants.

(CK)