Responding to a question raised by UNP Matara District MP Buddhika Pathirana, the Minister said that no amnesty period or grace period had been granted to register the elephants and tuckers which have been captured from jungles in illegal manner.

Minister Zoysa said that a special committee had been appointed to look into the alleged loss of Registry of Tamed Elephants, the process of registering elephants, the number of unregistered elephants in the country and related issues.

The report of the committee had been received and action would be taken to sent the report to the Secretary of the Ministry for due action, the minister said. “We have taken measures to prevent any untoward activities. I have instructed the officials to take maximum action against those who rare elephants in illegal manner. Legal action had already been instituted against some of those found keeping elephants and tuskers in an illegal manner,” the minister added. (Special Reporter/HC)