Heavy fines for selling venison

M. Nelson Piyaratne, - Kataragama Group

A person who sold venison in Sevanagala near Uda Walawa National Park was arrested by Wild Life officers. The officers who conducted the raid following a tip off took the suspect into custody along with five kilos of venison. The suspect who was produced before the Embilipitiya Magistrate was ordered to pay a fine of Rs 22,000.

The raid was conducted by Game Ranger Pathmasiri Bandara, Game Guards Ratnasiri Sepala Ratnayake and Premasiri of CSD under the instructions of Udawalawa Park Warden G. H. G. Wickramathilaka. According to the guests staying at guest houses around Uda Walawe National Park, reports of gun shots are frequently heard at night and wild animal meat is served in certain guest houses.