Sri Lanka Customs officers arrested two Sri Lankan nationals at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) departure terminal on March 1 after intercepting an alleged attempt to smuggle a stock of live Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) to Malaysia aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL314.
Customs said the arrests followed information provided by security officers attached to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Pvt Ltd regarding suspicious baggage detected during security screening.
Officers from the Customs unit at BIA, along with the Customs Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection (BCNP) unit, examined the luggage and found 25 live star tortoises concealed inside two suitcases, Customs said.
The seized animals were valued at approximately Rs. 13.5 million, according to Customs estimates.
Customs said the species is strictly protected under Sri Lanka’s wildlife laws and is listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits international commercial trade, adding that star tortoises are among the most commonly trafficked species in the global illegal pet trade.
The suspects were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, where they were remanded until March 5, 2026. The court also ordered that the rescued tortoises be handed over to the National Zoological Gardens for proper care.
Customs said further investigations are being carried out by the BCNP unit with the support of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and reiterated that it will continue efforts to protect Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and meet obligations under international conventions such as CITES..(Newswire)