The owner of a jewellery shop in Kitulgala has been fined Rs. 2.1 million after pleading guilty to 38 charges related to the illegal possession and sale of protected wildlife parts. The Ruwanwella Magistrate’s Court imposed the fine on Wednesday (08), ordering the suspect to pay…
The owner of a jewellery shop in Kitulgala has been fined Rs. 2.1 million after pleading guilty to 38 charges related to the illegal possession and sale of protected wildlife parts. The Ruwanwella Magistrate’s Court imposed the fine on Wednesday (08), ordering the suspect to pay the amount in three equal instalments within three months. The first instalment is due on Aug. 5. The suspect was arrested by Department of Wildlife Conservation officers following a raid on the jewellery shop, which was found to be illegally selling and possessing animal parts. The charges were filed before the Ruwanwella Magistrate’s Court on June 24. The raid was carried out by officers attached to the North Western Wildlife Assistant Director’s Office and the Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Range Office. (Newswire)