Two fined Rs. 450,000 each for trading protected wildlife parts

Colombo, June 25 (Daily Mirror) - Two men from Wariyapola and Minuwangate were fined Rs. 450,000 each by the Wariyapola Magistrate’s Court for possessing and trying to sell protected wildlife items.

The items included an elephant tooth, a tiger tooth, and a piece of black coral, all of which are protected under Sri Lankan law.

Wildlife officers from the Kurunegala Wildlife Office and the Ritigala Wildlife Reserve arrested the two suspects on May 4 at the 20th Junction in Minuwangate, in the Wariyapola Police area.

The suspects were produced before court, where they were found guilty of possessing, displaying, and attempting to sell the protected wildlife parts. The court then imposed fines of Rs. 450,000 on each accused.