Chinese workers at Moragahakanda being sold meat of indigenous animals

Wildlife officers have uncovered a racket involving the sale of meat from Sri Lankan soft shelled turtles (Kiri Ibba) and other indigenous wild animals and fish to Chinese workers employed on the Moragahakanda dam project. 

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) stated that there have been several reports in recent times alleging that wild animals inside the Elahera Forest Reserve were being hunted and their meat sold to Chinese nationals working on the project.  

Wildlife officers have managed to arrest several locals allegedly involved in the racket. 

Ranjith Vijitha, Chief Wildlife Officer for the Elahera sector said they have been carrying out raids as best they can despite the shortage of resources for the DWC in the area to dismantle the racket. 

Story by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

 

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