Elephant conservator's house burgled

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The house of Wildlife Department's Elephant Conservation Deputy Director W S K Pathiratna was burgled yesterday morning while he and his wife were at work.

The deputy director discovered that his house at Thalahena, Thalangama, had been burgled upon returning home from Polonnaruwa after an elephant inspection.

The deputy director said this on being contacted by the Daily News to ask about his visit to Polonnaruwa.

"I came home to get a wash and discovered that the house had been burgled," he said.

"Nobody was at home this morning. All had gone to work. I filed a complaint with the Thalangama Police station," he said. "They have decamped with jewellery and cash worth of over Rs five lakhs," he said.

Pathiratna said: "The house is in a mess. I am unable to compute the loss." Thalangama Police said, they will take the fingerprints at the house today to begin investigations.

The Police said they are awaiting a full report on the incident from Pathiratna.

The latter said he is yet to provide the Police an estimate of the goods stolen. Thalangama Police are investigating.