Nethmi arrested for making a python dance at Chandimal's New Year festival (video)

Colombo Additional Magistrate D.J. Premaratne yesterday (23) ordered the Department of Wildlife Conservation to immediately arrest the young woman who performed a dance with a protected animal, a python, around her neck, at the 'CG Royal Avurudu Prince and Princess' selection competition organized by renowned beautician Chandimal Jayasinghe at the Royal MAS Arena premises in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo.

The warrant was issued against the suspect contestant named Nethmi Hiranya. Since harming an animal is a punishable offense under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, the young woman concerned had previously been informed to come to the office to provide a statement regarding this matter. However, due to her continuous evasion of the summons, Colombo Wildlife Range Officers reported the facts to the court yesterday, after which this arrest warrant was obtained.

Following a request by the wildlife officers who presented facts in court, the Additional Magistrate has also granted permission to immediately record a statement from the chief organizer of this competition, beautician Mr. Chandimal Jayasinghe.

However, the young woman concerned recently commented publicly on this incident, which caused a strong controversy across social media. She stated that she used a python for this dance with the aim of showcasing her inherent talent and her bravery in handling such an animal. She also requested that if any illegal act had occurred, she would take full responsibility for it and that the fault should not be placed on the organizer.

This incident became a major topic of discussion on social media due to its direct comparison with another legal action recently implemented by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The court had imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on an environmentalist named Lakshan Madushanka, who spent his personal wealth to treat and heal a python that was critically injured by a backhoe, on the charge of possessing a protected animal without a license.

Authorities, who strictly enforced the law against a young man who saved an innocent animal (a snake that came into human habitation) by safely releasing it, faced strong criticism from the public for remaining silent until the video of this performance, using a python at a public event, was viewed by millions on social media.

Watch the video related to this incident ›

Video -Tharindu Welhenage