Suspect arrested for possession of Ivory

Colombo (News 1st): An individual was arrested while in possession of fragments of elephant tusks and elephant pearls in Kaluwella, Akmeemana.

Police stated that they seized two crocodiles carved from ivory, an elephant pearl and 7 stones suspected to be gems during the raid. The raid was carried out based on a tip-off.

The suspect is a 34-year-old resident of Akuressa. He is due to be presented before the Galle Magistrate court today (Feb 7).

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Four men possessing priceless elephant pearls arrested

Four men were arrested in Kandy on Sunday on charges of possessing 11 priceless elephant
pearls.

Ocers from the Kandy Division of the Crimes Prevention Unit, arrested the suspects during
raids carried out near the Kandy Lake and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

“The arrests had been carried out based on the information provided by an informant,” the
Police said.

The ocers pretending to be buyers had acted as decoys.

Police said the suspects, between 27 and 40 years, were residents of Badulla, Monaragala,
Ampara and Wellawaya.

They were handed over to the Kandy Police for further investigations.

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Three arrested for possession of Elephant Pearls

Three persons have been apprehended at Polgolla area in Kandy for the possession of Elephant Pearls aka ‘Gajamuthu’.

The Police Media Spokesperson stated that the Law Enforcement Unit in Kandy has found an Elephant Pearl weighing 5030 mg on a raid.

Reportedly, the arrested are from Polgolla, Ukuwela and Ampitiya area.

They will be presented at the Kandy magistrate today (19) and the Kandy Police will conduct further investigations on the matter.

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3 men arrested for attempting to sell Gaja Muthu

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Three residents of Beruwala were arrested while attempting to sell a bracelet which contained Gaja Muthu or elephant pearls.

The arrest had been made after luring the suspects into a sale using an undercover agent. The suspects had attempted to sell the bracelet for Rs.12 Million.

The suspects are due to be produced before the Kalutara Magistrates Court today (July 13).

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Rare ivory and pearl exhibition with a message

To mark International Museum Day on May 18 (declared by the International Community of Museums -ICOM), the Colombo National Museum has on display a temporary exhibition of ivory, pearls and exotic sea shells.

This exhibition which is on until June 18 highlights the dexterity of the Lankan craftsmen of yesteryear – seen in intricately crafted jewellery boxes, figurines, replicas of stupas and handloom shuttles on display.

“Although ivory was a rich form of art in ancient Sri Lanka, it should be remembered that ivory was sourced for the art from dead tuskers. The traditional Lankan artisan did not warrant the poaching of wild elephants for this purpose, although the practice was introduced by the colonial rulers and tragically continued to date,” says the Assistant Director of Zoology, Department of National Museum, Lankani Somarathna.

The exhibition also draws increased public attention to the problem of elephants being killed for their tusks. “Tuskers are killed in large numbers today in search of elephant pearls and their tusks but little do these poachers know that only a handful of them actually have this and many die in vain,” says Ms. Somarathna.

The exhibition features a collection of selected exhibits which are not among Colombo Museum’s permanent exhibition collection, including a delicately designed statue of God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, replicas of stupas dating back to the 17th century and an elaborately designed handloom shuttle. There is also a rare collection of sea shells, including a collection donated by the celebrated diver, late Rodney Jonklaas. All these are from the Zoology Division of the Museum. Apart from the permanent exhibits which the public gets to see, the Museum is also a repository to an extensive collection, some of which is showcased from time to time through temporary exhibitions.


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Two arrested in Matara with Elephant Pearls

Law Enforcement Unit of the Matara Police has arrested 2 persons, at Kekanadura in Matara, for the possession of Elephant Pearls aka ‘Gajamuthu’.

The police had seized 2 Elephant Pearls which were with the suspects.

The 34 year old and 39 year old suspects from Kekanadura area will be produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court today (06), according to the Police.


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Ballistic Shockwave Sensors For Wild Elephants

The Government has drawn its attention to replacing the existing GPS collars with ballistic shock sensors to identify wild elephants.

Several environmental activists’ organizations met Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera yesterday (05) to discuss the killing of the tusker, Galgamuwe Dala Poottuwa and other issues with regard to wild elephants.

The environmental activist, Shashikalana Ratwatta told our news team that they decided to x
40 ballistic shock sensor collars to wild elephants under the rest phase of the programme.

Meanwhile, police arrested 3 suspects with 3 elephant pearls in their possession at Palukandawa in Galgamuwa yesterday (05).

The seized elephant pearls are believed to have been extracted from the slain tusker, Galgamuwe Dala Poottuwa.

The suspects who have been arrested on a tip-off, are residents of Galgamuwa.

Earlier, 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of the tusker.

Several elephant pearls and a few ivory pendants believed to have been made of the tusks of the slain wild elephant were also seized by the police thereafter.

In addition, CID is continuing investigations to arrest few more suspects linked to the killing of the tusker.

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