Polonnaruwa No. 02 Magistrate’s Court issued an order yesterday (18) for the arrest and court production of the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Welikanda Police in connection with a cattle trafficking case.
The case stems from an incident that occurred several months ago when Welikanda Police apprehended two suspects in possession of 20 cows. The suspects were presented before the court, which ordered that the cattle be handed over to a government farm. However, contrary to the court’s directive, the cows were illicitly returned to the same traffickers through a sale.
Additionally, the former OIC has been placed under a foreign travel ban.
It has been revealed that the Magistrate personally initiated an inquiry into the matter following an anonymous petition filed against the former Welikanda Police OIC. As a result, the Magistrate directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the North Central Province Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to conduct further investigations.
On the 18th, police produced the two suspects involved in the case before the court. Meanwhile, the North Central Province SSP informed the court that the main suspect, the former Welikanda OIC, has gone into hiding.
Subsequently, the Polonnaruwa No. 02 Magistrate’s Court instructed the police to issue a warrant for the former OIC’s arrest and ensure his immediate production before the court.
