Three individuals arrested in Hali-Ela, Badulla while allegedly in possession of two elephant pearls ("Gaja muthu") have been remanded until June 19 by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court, according to Hali-Ela Police.
The suspects, aged 31, 30, and 26, are residents of Anthudawela and Pathanawatta in Hali-Ela.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday (09) near the Ganadevi Devalaya on the Hali-Ela–Bandarawela road following a tip-off received by officers attached to the Uduwara Special Task Force (STF) camp.
During the operation, officers had recovered two pieces suspected to be elephant pearls, weighing a total of 5,900 milligrams, from the suspects’ possession.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Hali-Ela Police and later produced before the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
Further investigations are being conducted under the direction of the Officer-in-Charge of Hali-Ela Police.
Officials have also sought a special report from the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens to verify the authenticity of the two suspected elephant pearls taken into police custody.
