Elephant Scheme: Man Sentenced for Illegal Wildlife Possession

The Colombo High Court has sentenced Samarappulige Niraj Roshan, alias 'Ali Roshan', to 15 years in prison and fined him 20.6 million Sri Lankan rupees for illegal elephant possession. Convicted on two charges, Roshan faces punishment under the Public Properties Act for offences between 2009 and 2015.

The Colombo High Court has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing Samarappulige Niraj Roshan, also known as 'Ali Roshan', to 15 years of imprisonment for the illegal possession of an elephant.

Roshan was fined 20.6 million Sri Lankan rupees, equivalent to around INR 6 million, and the three-judge bench ordered that the elephant be returned to government custody.

The case dates back to 2015, when it was reported that Roshan illegally owned five elephants. Tried under the Public Properties Act, he was found guilty on two of 33 charges, while three other suspects were acquitted.

(With inputs from agencies.)