Two protests are being held near the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court over the recent court cases regarding wild elephants.

Several civil society groups launched a protest on the opposite side of the road facing the court, urging the Chief Justice to ensure that the wild life laws are applied in the cases regarding wild elephants kept in possession by various people, allegedly without proper licenses.

They point out that there are doubts as to the judicial proceedings regarding the court cases on such incidents.

Meanwhile a group of lawyers started staging a counter protest, arguing that the protest by the civil society groups was an interference with the independence of the judiciary.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya's recent decision to allow the release of 15 elephants on bonds is thought to be the main reason for the protest. The Attorney General filed a revision application against the Magistrate's decision at the Colombo High Court and the MAgistrate's decision was temporarily stayed.

The case will be taken up at the Colombo High Court tomorrow.