August 03, Colombo (LNW): Judicial authorities in Sri Lanka have suspended the official duties of Thilina Gamage, who held dual appointments as Magistrate and District Judge in Moratuwa, following the emergence of serious allegations involving misconduct.
The Judicial Service Commission, the body responsible for overseeing the conduct of judicial officers, has confirmed that Gamage has been formally removed from active service while an inquiry is underway. He has been instructed to provide a written explanation regarding the accusations within a 21-day period, as stipulated in a letter issued by the Commission.
The suspension relates to an ongoing investigation centred around Gamage’s alleged role in unlawful activities concerning the custody of a baby elephant. The Commission formally served him a charge sheet earlier this year, with the matter gaining renewed attention in recent weeks.
At the heart of the investigation are claims that Gamage unlawfully kept a young elephant named “Sakura” using documentation that was allegedly forged. The elephant in question was originally seized and returned to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 2015, following a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The incident triggered a high-profile inquiry into the use of falsified permits to privately own protected wildlife.
The Attorney General’s Department has since filed an indictment consisting of 25 separate charges linked to the incident. These include serious breaches under the Public Property Act and other relevant statutes aimed at protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife heritage.
