Wildlife officers attached to the Wanathawilluwa Wildlife Office arrested two suspects yesterday during a patrol in the Wanathawilluwa area over the illegal possession of Sambar deer meat.
The officers seized 74 kilograms and 500 grams of meat believed to be from a Sambar deer, a species strictly protected under the Wildlife and Flora Protection Ordinance. Authorities have launched further investigations to ascertain whether the suspects are connected to an organised meat-smuggling network. Wildlife officials said intensified patrols and raids are being carried out to combat illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking.
The suspects and the seized meat were produced before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court, where the accused pleaded guilty. The Magistrate subsequently released them on personal bail of Rs. 200,000 each. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on February 22.
The operation was carried out by Wildlife Warden T.M.C.D. Thilakaratne, H.V.A. Maduranga Withana, along with other wildlife officers. Wildlife Site Assistant Lasantha Kumara of the Karuwalagaswewa Site Protection Office assisted with the court proceedings.
