Three women arrested for killing flapshell turtles in Polonnaruwa sanctuary

By Nimal Jayarathne

Colombo, June 24 (Daily Mirror) - Three women were arrested for killing thirteen flapshell turtles (Kiri Ibba) and preparing them for consumption inside a wildlife sanctuary in the Polonnaruwa area, the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Conservation officer said.

The arrest took place this afternoon during a raid conducted by wildlife officers, who also seized a stock of turtle meat, feet and eggs at the scene. 

According to the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Conservation Officer R.R. Shantha, the suspects were identified as residents of Puttalam and Mannar, reportedly operating as traders in the area.

Investigations revealed that the women had been staying at a private accommodation in the Kanuwa area, Thamankaduwa, and were apprehended while butchering and preparing the protected species for food at a temple site within the sanctuary.

The raid was carried out by a team comprising Wildlife Conservation Assistants R.R. Shantha, M.R. Priyadarshana, and A.D. Wickramasinghe, along with Wildlife Sanctuary Assistants, members of the Civil Defence Force, and driver J.S.P. Jayakody.

The arrested women are scheduled to be produced before the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court later today, officials confirmed. 

The incident marks a serious violation under Sri Lanka’s Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, as flapshell turtles are a protected species under local conservation laws.