(AFP) Sri Lankan customs Friday seized its biggest haul of star tortoises and arrested a local man who was trying to smuggle the endangered reptiles to Malaysia, an official said. The batch of 124 star tortoises, each with a street value of nearly $1,000 was detected as they were being loaded onto a flight leaving Colombo international airport Friday, customs spokesman Leslie Gamini told AFP. "We confiscated the animals and handed them over to the national zoo," Gamini said."We have also imposed a fine of 300,000 rupees ($2,300) and investigations are underway." Friday's detection led to the biggest haul of live star tortoises since customs seized 41 in 1997. They are usually smuggled out to be sold as pets. Star tortoises are a protected species and their export is banned although Sri Lankan farmers regard them as pests that chew up their crops.
You can share this post!
Content
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has interdicted Colombo Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera.
The Supreme Court today refused interim relief in an application filed by President’s Counsel Senaka Walgampaya seeking an Order from the Supreme Court compelling the President to appoint judges to fill the existing vacancies in the Court Of Appeal.
The deadline for online applications to the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination has been extended until July 12, the Department of Examinations said.
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
Leave Comments