A 23-year-old man has been arrested while attempting to sell a stock of black coral, a rare and protected marine species, near the Gampaha railway station, wildlife officials said.
The suspect was taken into custody on Saturday (23) following a tip-off received by the Horagolla National Park. Officers seized 3.2 kilograms of black coral, which the suspect had planned to sell at Rs. 75,000 per kilogram.
He is scheduled to be produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, along with the seized items.
The raid was carried out under the supervision of Horagolla National Park Warden, P.A.S.U. Bandara, with the participation of wildlife officers A.M. Saminda, R.M.P. Wijesinghe, P.C. Sanjeewani, I.P.C.N. Sasmitha, and driver R.S.S. Ratnasekara.
Black coral (Antipathes), also known as thorn coral, is a deep-sea coral species that provides habitat, food, and protection for a wide range of marine organisms. Though its outer surface appears in different colours, the interior is black, which gives the species its name.
Under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, the cutting, possession, trade, import, export, or exhibition of coral is prohibited. The Department of Wildlife Conservation has urged the public to provide any information on coral traffickers via the 1992 wildlife hotline. (Newswire)
