Baby elephant case: Suspended District judge removed from service

Former Moratuwa District Judge Thilina Gamage has been removed from his judicial duties following a disciplinary inquiry into his alleged misconduct involving the possession of a baby elephant named Sakura. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), presided over by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, concluded that Gamage had obtained the necessary permit fraudulently.

This development marked one of several suspensions that occurred following Surasena's ascension to the Chief Justice role, following the departure of Murdhu Fernando in late July 2025.

The Yahapalana government initiated inquiries in 2015 concerning individuals possessing elephants. In May 2015, Gamage's baby elephant was transferred to the care of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The JSC suspended Gamage in June 2021, during his tenure as an Additional Magistrate in Colombo. Subsequently, indictments were filed against Gamage, Chandraratna Bandara Yatawara, and two others before the Colombo High Court on November 7, 2019, just weeks before the presidential election.

However, during Gotabaya Rajapaksa's presidency, the Attorney General's Department decided to drop the criminal charges against Gamage on December 16, 2021, citing insufficient evidence. Despite this, the JSC maintained its disciplinary proceedings and filed a charge sheet against Gamage in June 2025, in connection with the allegations surrounding the baby elephant.