Two Russian nationals have been remanded until tomorrow (September 3) after being arrested for illegally collecting biological resources unique to Sri Lanka. The arrests were made by wildlife officials on August 28 when the suspects were found entering the Knuckles Reserve Forest, Sinharaja World Heritage Forest, and Horton Plains National Park.
The Russian suspects, who arrived on the island on August 19, were allegedly involved in capturing approximately 197 species of amphibians and reptiles. These species are endemic to Sri Lanka and are considered to be under threat. The illicit activity has raised concerns over the potential exploitation and endangerment of the country’s unique biodiversity.
The suspects were brought before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court today (September 2), where the magistrate ordered their remand until the following day. The case has drawn significant attention due to the sensitive nature of the biological resources involved and the potential impact on Sri Lanka’s ecological heritage.
Further investigations are expected to shed more light on the extent of the suspects’ activities and any potential networks involved in the illegal collection of endangered species.
