By Roy Denish.
Mullaitivu cattle theft leaves Kumulamunai farmers in crisis after buffaloes and calves worth Rs. 3 million vanish from a local corral.
MULLAITIVU, Sri Lanka: Mullaitivu cattle theft has pushed a northern farming community into crisis after thieves stole buffaloes and calves worth about three million rupees from a local corral.
The raid happened under the cover of darkness in Andankulam, Kumulamunai, an area where many families depend on agriculture and livestock to survive.
According to community members, the thieves arrived in mid-sized transport vehicles late at night. They then carried out a coordinated and quiet operation to round up dozens of bulls and calves from a secured pen. The scale and precision of the raid have led local authorities to suspect a well-organized criminal network operating across provincial lines.
Mullaitivu Cattle Theft Hits Farming Families
For local farmers, the stolen animals represent far more than property. Their loss has damaged daily livelihoods and placed several households under severe financial strain.
Buffaloes and cattle in this region support milk production, breeding, and draft power for plowing fields. As a result, the sudden loss of a three-million-rupee asset base has left families without steady income. It has also removed the means they need to replace the stolen livestock quickly.
The Mullaitivu cattle theft has also deepened anger over local security. Affected farmers said the latest raid was not an isolated incident. Instead, they said the area has suffered repeated cattle rustling operations over the past few years.
In one earlier case, a gang stole 16 cows from the same area. However, although a formal legal process began, farmers said the case remains trapped in lengthy court proceedings. They also said no resolution or compensation appears within reach.
Farmers Demand Patrols And Checkpoints
“They come in vehicles late at night and operate with incredible stealth,” one local farmer said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation. “They know exactly where the pens are, how to handle the animals quickly, and how to slip away before anyone notices. We are completely vulnerable out here.”
The community has lodged a detailed complaint with the local police department. Farmers provided information on the suspected timeline of the theft and the tire tracks left behind by the smuggling vehicles.
Law enforcement officials have launched a formal investigation into the theft. However, police had not made any arrests as of Saturday morning.
Facing mounting financial ruin, Kumulamunai livestock owners are demanding urgent action from senior police officials. They want night patrols, highway checkpoints, and a faster investigation before the local dairy and farming economy suffers further damage. Farmers say the latest Mullaitivu cattle theft shows how exposed rural communities remain when organized gangs target livestock.
