Tens of millions of pigeons caught from Kalpitiya

Four suspects have been arrested at the Kalpitiya Wannimundalama beach along with a stock of high-value Indian racing pigeons, which were illegally brought into the country by sea, violating quarantine regulations. During this raid, conducted by the Special Raids Unit of the Puttalam Senior Superintendent of Police's office, the fishing vessel used to transport the birds, its engine, and a van parked near the beach to transport this stock of pigeons by land, have also been taken into police custody.

Acting on intelligence received by Puttalam Senior Superintendent of Police Kapila Premadasa, a team of officers, including Sub-Inspector S. S. Fernando, the OIC of the Special Raids Unit, dressed in civilian clothes, had been lying in wait in the Wannimundalama beach area. The police team, who had been hiding on the beach since 10:00 AM that day, was able to raid and apprehend the suspicious vessel only around 5:00 PM.

The arrested pigeons were packed very tightly in six plastic packing boxes with holes, and due to being at sea for over three days, the birds were severely exhausted and in a weak condition, stated Sub-Inspector Fernando.

These birds, which are entered into national and international level competitions, have special rings on their legs and are a valuable species of pigeon with a very high lineage. Pigeon traders point out that the commercial value of one such illegally trafficked pigeon exceeds fifty thousand rupees.