A man who was arrested while illegally transporting an elephant has confessed to Police that he was about to hand over the elephant to a prominent minister in the government representing Kalutara District.

The man was caught while transporting a baby elephant from the Matale area and the Matale police has sent the suspect and the elephant to the Wildlife Unit in Matale for further investigation.

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After further interrogation, the driver has revealed that he was transporting the baby elephant under the directives of the minister.

The Minister’s name was reported in the media in the resent past in connection with various allegations. There was an investigation conducted by the Bribery Commission into the conduct of the minister, but it came to a halt abruptly.

However, a spokesman of the Police Department told Asian Mirror that the Police was yet to confirm whether the Minister was actually behind the scam. 

Meanwhile, the Bodu Bala Sena organization said a few months ago that it had information on those who were involved in elephant-smuggling. The organization also threatened to reveal the names of those who were involved in the smuggling if the Police failed to take action against them.

Addressing a press briefing in Colombo, BBS General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said the elephant smuggling was being done using religion as a veil.