CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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Charge sheet against cobra woman
While claiming that the cobra found in the possession of a young woman at a Kollupitiya night club be released to the owner, the defence in this case argued that the charges could not be maintained against the suspect since no offence was committed by her.President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne appearing for the suspect Nirosha Wimalaratne alias Dilani argued that his client had not committed any offence under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance or the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.
Defence Counsel Arsakularatne PC further argued that cobras were not an endangered species and his client had not even committed any harm or cruelty to the snake. “According to the B report, the snake was in a box. No pain or suffering was caused to the snake by her. We would like to claim the cobra once the case was over,” Mr. Arsakularatne said.
In reply, the Kollupitiya police informed Court that charges could be maintained against the suspect under the Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and the Dangerous Animals Act.
Having heard the submissions, Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne directed that police file a charge sheet against the suspect on October 11.
According to the psychiatric report issued by the Forensic Psychiatry Unit of the Mental Hospital, it was said the suspect did not have the symptoms suggestive of a mental disorder during the period of assessment. It further said the suspect did not derive sexual pleasure out of association with snakes.
President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne with Nimal Ranawaka, R.A.P. Ranawaka, Thejan Koralage and Sudarshani Gunaratne appeared for the suspect.
Sergeant Rajapaksa, Sub Inspector Dissanayake and Sergeant Samarakoon of the Kollupitiya police prosecuted. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)
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