30 baby elephants robbed in one year: Sajith

Nearly 30 baby elephants have been robbed from major wildlife parks in the country within a year with the blessings of top government officials, Hambantota District United National Party (UNP) MP Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

He said this was an alarming trend when taking into account that 23 baby elephants had been robbed from major wildlife parks such as Habarana, Minneriya, Thanamalwila and Udawalwe between 2008 and 2013.

Mr. Premadasa said the robberies had been carried out under the guise of rescuing orphaned calves and alleged that a wildlife officer had even been sent to china to prevent him from giving evidence in Courts with regard to a theft which took place in Peradeniya recently.

In another staggering disclosure he said some wild- life officers had demanded Rs.1 million to provide a forged licence

“Wildlife is a priceless resource which this country possess and as there are 26 species of birds which are found only in Sri Lanka it is the responsibility of all concerned that racketeers are not allowed to destroy this treasure,” Mr. Premadasa said and urged the formation of a task force to protect our wildlife.