A young woman and a suspect who provided a python for an Avurudu Kumari dance performance have been fined by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court after admitting to violations of wildlife protection laws.
A woman who performed with a python at an Avurudu Kumari competition has been ordered to pay Rs. 50,000 in fines following a court appearance, while the individual who supplied the reptile faces a steeper penalty of Rs. 100,000. Both individuals were charged under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance after the incident gained significant visibility on social media platforms.
The Colombo District Wildlife Range Office initiated an investigation into the performance, which involved the use of a protected animal in an entertainment context. When the matter was reconvened before the Chief Magistrate's Court on July 22, both accused individuals acknowledged their guilt in relation to the charges brought against them.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the woman was specifically penalized for keeping and using a protected animal for dancing purposes, while the other suspect received a higher fine for the broader violations of keeping and selling a protected species. Wildlife authorities emphasized that Sri Lankan law categorically prohibits the keeping, transportation, exhibition, and sale of protected wild animals, with violators facing potential detention and financial penalties.
