Chinese national arrested for catching milk turtles

On the 15th, Mahakumbukkadawala Police successfully apprehended a foreigner who had illegally hunted a star tortoise near the Mahakumbukkadawala main tank in Puttalam. The arrested individual is a 41-year-old Chinese national.

Police investigations have revealed that the suspect was operating with the intention of catching star tortoises, which are designated as a highly protected animal species in Sri Lanka.

During the operation, officers found a live star tortoise weighing nearly two kilograms, which had been hunted and was in the suspect's possession. Additionally, four fishing rods suspected to have been used by him to catch these animals were taken into police custody.

Preliminary inquiries regarding the arrested Chinese national confirmed that he has been residing in the Madurankuliya area since 2023. The police also stated that he possesses a valid visa allowing him to stay in Sri Lanka until March 2028.

This raid was conducted by a team of officers led by Sub-Inspector Chandana of the Mahakumbukkadawala Police. The police are currently making the necessary arrangements to conduct further extensive investigations against the suspect and present him before the Puttalam Magistrate's Court.