The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has raised concerns over the alleged illegal importation of 330 foreign birds from Suriname.
Issuing a statement, the CEJ said the birds had arrived via a private plane at Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).
“The person responsible for this import did not have the necessary license, and despite the license issues, the birds were not prevented from being delivered to the person concerned,” the environmental organization revealed.
The CEJ has called on the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The environmental organization warned that failure to act by the authorities within 14- days of their letter of demand, it will be forced to initiate necessary legal action in this regard.
The full letter of the CEJ:
Illegal Importation of Exotic Birds and Violations of Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance
Centre for Environmental Justice (Guarantee) Limited, Mr. Withanage Don Hemantha Ranjith Sisira Kumara, Director and Senior Advisor, Centre for Environmental Justice and Mr. Pathragoda Kankanamge Dilena, the Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice all of 20A, Kuruppu Road, Colombo 08 sent a Letter of Demand addressing the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation and Director General of Department of Wildlife Conservation regarding the illegal importation of exotic birds and violations of fauna and flora protection ordinance.
Recent reports, reveal the illegal importation of 330 exotic birds from Suriname via a private plane that arrived at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Mattala. The individual responsible for this importation did not possess the required license, and despite permit issues, the birds were not prevented from being released.
It has come to Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) attention that a shipment of these birds, following an earlier importation, was prevented from being released due to a lack of documents and permits. However, the birds are currently held under the custody of animal quarantine and allowed ‘safe custody’ at the premises of the importer in Hambantota until an investigation is completed.
CEJ deeply concerned about recent information indicating potential attempts by certain officials to unlawfully detain and grant licenses for the imported birds, exploiting a previously obtained license. This not only raises significant legal issues but also poses a severe threat to our environment, demanding immediate and thorough attention.
According to section 43 of the Customs Ordinance, if any goods enumerated in the table of prohibitions and restrictions in Schedule F shall be imported or brought into Sri Lanka contrary to the prohibitions and restrictions contained in such table in respect thereof, such goods shall be forfeited, and shall be destroyed or disposed of as the Director General of Customs may direct.
Importing exotic birds without proper permits is a direct violation of Section 37 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. It is crucial to underline that neither Sri Lanka Customs nor the Wildlife Conservation Department has the authority to recommend re-licensing for illegally imported birds, and maintaining possession of these birds by the alleged perpetrator is legally flawed.
In light of the above, CEJ urgently request from the relevant Authorities to take the following comprehensive actions:
- Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the illegal importation of exotic birds and take appropriate legal action against those responsible for violating the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
- Assess the origin of the birds, given Suriname’s notorious reputation for bird and animal smuggling from the Amazon rainforest. Investigate the potential risks of diseases that these birds may carry, considering the high chances of them being wild-caught.
- Ensure that the remaining birds are securely held in a location that strictly adheres to proper quarantine standards. This is imperative to protect both the imported birds and native wildlife from potential diseases that could have severe consequences for our ecosystem.
- Keep the public informed about the steps being taken to address this issue and ensure transparency in the investigative and corrective process.
In the event of their failure to respond to this demand as to what action/s they propose to take in keeping with the statutory cum constitutional duty imposed upon them within 14 days of the receipt of this demand, please be informed that not only would CEJ regard the content of this letter having being admitted but also that it would be construed CEJ in law as an inaction on their part and a refusal to perform them said statutory cum Constitutional duty which would compel CEJ to seek and pursue appropriate legal action in an appropriate judicial forum. (NewsWire)