By Hiran Priyankara   

Puttalam Addl. Magistrate Asela De Silva expressed concern about the public, the media or other sources of attempting to interfere with the decisions of the courts.   
The judge who released on bail two Wildlife Conservators produced in court by the police in connection with the shooting in Eramudugaswewa during a raid to arrest poachers, said in open court that the wildlife conservators were engaging in a tedious task amid hardships to protect the environment and animals. The magistrate pointed out the shooting would have been apparently an unexpected incident.   

The suspects were released on personal bail in Rs.50,000 each. 

A resident of Kuda Medawachchiya in Karuwalagaswewa had received injuries in the shooting.    The Magistrate ordered police to provide protection to Karuwalagaswewa Wildlife Conservation Office and ordered the transfer of the two suspect officers to another area for their protection.  Meanwhile, more than 50 people staged protest in front of the Magistrate’s Court against the release of the two officers on bail. However, they dispersed when HQI Puttalam Police informed them to disperse without obstructing the court proceedings or else legal action would be taken against them.   

The case was postponed to August 28.