Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias Ali Roshan, who was found guilty of two counts of illegally possessing an elephant without a license, was sentenced to 15 years in prison with rigorous imprisonment by a special three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court today.
A five-year prison sentence was imposed on the 27th charge and a 15-year prison sentence on the 28th charge, and the bench also stated that the sentence would be served in one 15-year period.
In addition, the accused was sentenced to a fine of 200,000 rupees for the 27th charge and a 3-month suspended sentence in default of the fine, and a fine of 200,000 rupees for the 28th charge and a 4-year rigorous imprisonment in default of the fine. In addition, the court ordered the confiscation of the elephant named Samadhi in his possession and the immediate custody of the Director General of Wildlife.
The bench also ordered the acquittal and release of three other accused who were charged in connection with this incident.