Export of baby elephant to NZ: Case on May 26

An Appeal Court Bench comprising Justices Deepali Wijesundera and Lalith Jayasuriya has fixed for May 26 the hearing of the writ petition against the efforts being made to export baby elephant “Nandi” which has been gifted to New Zealand.

Two standing committees have been appointed to prepare new regulations to be complied with in such cases of exporting baby elephants to other countries. The Interim Order on maintaining the status quo has been extended in respect of the writ petition.

The petitioners are the Dharmavijaya Foundation, its President Olcott Gunasekera, the Bodhiraja Foundation, the Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, the Ven. Bowatte Indaratana Thera, Rev. Bro. Lionel Peiris of the Franciscan Society, Sri Lanka Animal Protection Association Vice President Lorraine Margurite Bibile, its Secretary Sharmanie Desiree, Animal Welfare Trust Chairperson Irangani De Silva, its trustees Visakha Tillekaratne and Kumudhini Saravanamuthu, Devaka Attugalle, Lalani Serasinghe Perera, Mayura Tissa Bibile, Nikita Ravin Tissera, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Dr. Udaya Wijayawardane and Gamini Wanigaratne.

Petitioners are involved in the prevention of cruelty to animals and the promotion of animal welfare.

They cited the IGP, Director Crimes, the Minister of Livestock and Rural Community Development, Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Tourism and Sports, subject minister for Animal Welfare, Director General of Wildlife Conservation, the Veterinary Council of Ceylon, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Provincial Directors, Chief Secretaries of the Provinces, the Attorney General and several others as respondents.