Killing of stag, deer: several arrested

M. Nelson Piyaratne - Kataragama Group

Soldiers of 17th Sinha Regiment of the Kataragama Army camp have arrested several poachers who killed a fully grown stag (Sambur) and three deer between Sellakataragama and Galge on the Kataragama - Buttala road on Monday. Commanding Officer of Katargama Army camp Lt. Col. M.A. Luxman told the media that he and several other soldiers were coming from Buttala to Kataragama at about 3 am on Monday.

He had seen a three wheeler parked by the side of the road and questioned the people in the three wheeler on suspicion. They then proceeded for about 500 metres and noticed a truck parked close to the jungle path.

“I passed the truck, but on second thoughts, decided to inspect it and wanted to question the people as to what they were doing near the jungle in the wee hours,” Lt. Col. Luxman said. “These people became jittery and tried to get away in the truck towards Buttala. The Army vehicle pursued them and brought the vehicle to a halt. On closer inspection of the truck, the three deer carcasses together with a stag were discovered. We apprehended two suspects, while the others escaped into the jungle. The Army personnel pursued them.

There was a shot gun in the truck,” he said.

The Army has handed over the two suspects and the carcasses to the office of the Uva Region Wild Life Assistant Director Sisira Kumara De Silva. The Assistant Wild Life Director said the stag weighs about 500 kilogrammes and the three deer are about 200 kilogrammes each. He said all the dead animals were healthy males.

He said the two suspects in custody on questioning revealed that a policeman also participated in the killing of the animals.

Kataragama Game Range Officer Karunasena Vithana said the stag is the largest found in block 4 and 5 in the National Park.

The suspects were due to be produced before Tissamaharama Magistrate and District Judge Ramya Kumara.