Negombo Police have arrested two Indian nationals and a resident of Mulleriyawa along with 223 star tortoises suspected to have been smuggled into India by sea.
They were arrested while preparing to transport this herd of star tortoises in regiform boxes by truck, near the Kopparahandiya in Negombo last evening, police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.
Investigations have revealed that the two Indians are staying in the country and engaging in this racket. The suspects are to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today.
The star tortoise is a protected animal in Sri Lanka and is prohibited from being possessed or transported without a valid license.