Navy nabs a person with turtle flesh

A team of Naval personnel apprehended a person with a stock of turtle flesh during a search conducted in Arrippu area in Silawathura, on 18^th July 2019.

This stock of turtle flesh weighing 80kg which was hidden in a house in Arrippu area was seized during a search conducted by a team of Naval personnel attached to the Northwestern Naval Command. The suspect is a resident of the same area aged 41 and he along with the flesh stock was handed over to Silawathura Police for onward legal action.

Further, the turtle which is included into the Red List recently, is protected always by the naval personnel under the innovative “Neela Haritha Sangramaya” concept of the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva. It is the sole responsibility of all Sri Lankans to protect these rare creatures of nature’s gifts.

Sri Lanka Navy has identified Southern, Eastern and Southeastern beach areas as the exclusive habitats frequented by sea turtles to lay their eggs. Accordingly, the Navy has released about 7000 baby turtles into the ocean over the last two years, upon successful hatching. It is the responsibility of all Sri Lankans to assist the conservation of these creatures.