Customs to bury illegal blood ivory tusks worth more than Rs 300 million on Intl. Customs Day

Sri Lanka Customs on  International Customs Day (January 26) in a ceremony which will see  more than 350 African elephant tusks (Blood Ivory) in their custody being destroyed following religious observances at Galle Face Green in the presence of the President, Prime Minister, ministers, Diplomatic Corps and the public.

According to Customs Spokesman Lesly Gamini quoted by media as saying this symbolic act of destroying more than Rs. 300 million worth of ivory seeks to "crush any hopes by poachers that they will profit by killing elephants."

The illegal tusks were seized in May 2012 from a ship en route to the Middle East from Kenya. They are believed to stem from hundreds of butchered elephants, including calves, in Africa.

Gamini said the religious ceremony would be held in memory of the elephants killed.

A ceremony to bury the task will also be held. This will be attended by religious dignitaries of all faiths.

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