The Emergency Raid Unit of the Department of Wildlife Conservation has arrested two suspects near the Kitulgala area for possessing the meat of a fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), a species strictly protected under wildlife laws.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the suspects, along with the case items, were arrested this week (06 Jan) and produced before the Ruwanwella Magistrate’s Court.

The Magistrate released one individual on bail of Rs. 300,000, while the case is scheduled to be heard again on January 14.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation urged the public to call the emergency hotline 1992 with any information regarding such poachers. (Newswire)

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The sale, storage, and slaughter of beef, mutton, and pork have been banned in the Mannar District for one week starting December 3, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka announced.

The ban follows reports of widespread livestock deaths during the recent disaster, particularly among cattle.

The Union said the measure is aimed at preventing the sale of potentially unsafe meat in local markets.

Public Health Inspectors will monitor for any violations, and the public is urged to report suspected cases to their local PHI or the Health Ministry’s Disaster Management Unit via the 1926 hotline. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has warned the public of a racket involving the sale of meat of hens killed in the recent floods experienced in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media today, the Director of the CAA Special Raids Unit, Sanjaya Irasinghe said several complaints have been received in this regard.

“We have received information of a racket where these dead hens are being cleaned, packeted and sold to the public,” he said. 

Explaining the difference in meat, Sanjaya Irasinghe said broiler chickens are white in colour due to a lack of blood, while these unhygienic chickens are red in colour. 

The Director of the CAA Special Raids Unit advised the public to refrain from purchasing such chicken meat due to the possibility of it being contaminated with various bacteria due to the floods.

“Such bacteria may not die, even if the meat is cooked in high flame. Please be vigilant when purchasing chicken meat,” he warned. 

Sanjaya Irasinghe revealed that chicken meat was currently being sold for Rs. 1100 to Rs. 1200, but these contaminated meat were being sold for a slightly higher price than that. (Newswire)

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Local poultry producers have agreed to reduce the price of chicken, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera stated.

Minister Amaraweera stated that local poultry producers are willing to reduce the price of chicken by Rs. 100 per kilogram. (NewsWire)

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