Video: Court orders release of cobra

6 December 2012 06:45 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A cobra taken into police custody and a night club dancer who lamented the loss of her pet were reunited yesterday when a Colombo Court ordered the police to release the reptile to its rightful owner.

Delivering the judgment over the release of the cobra, Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne ordered that the cobra be released to the dancer on a bond of Rs.50,000.

The matter came up in connection with the case filed against the dancer on charges of having kept a cobra in a room at a night club in Kollupitiya. The suspect dancer was charged under animal cruelty laws.

At a previous hearing of the case, lawyers appearing for the suspect dancer had made a request for the release of the cobra to the suspect Nirosha Wimalaratne alias Dilani from the custody of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.

The Kollupitiya police had filed a charge sheet against the suspect under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance. Police said the suspect had acted to cause unnecessary pain or suffering to a cobra. Police said she had committed a punishable offence under section 2 (1) (b) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.

The police said the woman had prevented the cobra from continuing with its natural feeding pattern and thus hindered its growth.

President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne with Wasantha Batagoda and Sudarshani Gunaratne appearing for the suspect informed Court that the charges leveled against their client cannot be maintained and thereby the suspect be released from the case. The defence further maintained that the charges filed by the police are contrary to the facts of the case.

Further Magisterial inquiry into the incident was postponed for January 10. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

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Comments - 18

Chryshan K Thursday, 06 December 2012 10:12 AM

Normally as people spot a cobra, they kill them. Nobody talks of animal cruelty then. At least this women was looking after this animal very lovingly. Thanks. Atleast now Judges are looking at things in a more positive manner than just support Police.

Cobra Friday, 07 December 2012 02:41 AM

Welcome to my world, brother!

Ven Showbitter Thero Thursday, 06 December 2012 04:02 PM

Dont laugh. This is a Buddhist country.

Harsha1 Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:58 PM

Otherwise police can take dog owners and any pet owner

lanka Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:40 PM

Police do nt follow the order of law , they follow carped brainless politicians order ,,, country is going to dogs ...

merril Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:03 PM

Having the worst Cobra in Temple trees, Police is harassing this innocent girl.

RamUK Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:37 PM

I think police made a blunder thinking what ever they produce to the judge get imprisonment with out question so police is under prepared. Should have tried with prevention of terrorism act which has more chances of getting some one in prison. LOL

OMG Thursday, 06 December 2012 11:28 AM

‘Cruelty to Animals’ people should go see the chicken hatcheries where thousands of male day old layer chicks being fed to the pigs ALIVE.

Jayasekara Thursday, 06 December 2012 11:16 AM

Cruelty to Animals are done openly in pageants when elephant are forces in to go in crowd mist of light and sound no law then why

Tharaka Chanaka Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:43 AM

Cruelty to Animals?? What about the recent electrocution of elephants because of low level power lines??? Why isn't anyone suing the CEB but seem to be harassing this young girl?

Namal Thursday, 06 December 2012 10:08 AM

Will the Zoo Director be arrested for cruelty to animals? What about the Elephants being forced to dance etc??

sorenson Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:53 AM

Cobras get happier and thrilled in the night clubs.....

Thomas Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:40 AM

What about the cruelty caused to innocent human beings by the Police? Who can be held responsible.?

Padma Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:27 AM

Cruelty to Animals?.. what ?You the police don’t apply that act for the bull cart.

pol haraka Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:17 AM

what about to mankind? does that not have any lime light in sri lanka?

Asaranakolla Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:10 AM

I want my crocodile back!!!

Sam Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:05 AM

Animal cruelty.....for the Cobra it would have had a nice time in the night club.....

ANTON Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:01 AM

Now the whole world knows that this girl is innocent and our police is unjust. What is the penalty they are going pay for this ..... A promotion ?

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Video: Court orders release of cobra

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