Four Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage employees who were found guilty over the killing of the elephant “Neelagiri” in the orphanage were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and fined Rs. 100,000 each by Kegalle High Court Judge Menaka Wijesundara.

The accused had caused fatal injuries to the 19-year-old jumbo by assaulting it with a goad on November 20, 2010 or on an approximate date.  Three mahouts Malaka Mihira Bandara, Sarath Jayasuriya and R.A.M.Punchi Banda and an Animal Conservator Lasantha Dilipa Kumara were the accused in this case. The Attorney General had filed indictments against them under the Fauna and Flora act No. 44 of of 1964. State Counsel Chaminda Atukorala prosecuted while Attorney Titus Mahatunga appeared for the accused. (Rohan Kumara )