One arrested for smuggling birds at BIA

Colombo (News1st): A Sri Lankan Businessman was arrested by the Bio-Diversity Protection Unit of Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport for importing 57 live birds without proper approval. Customs Spokesperson Sunil Jayaratne said the suspect is a 37-year-old resident of Marawila, Chillaw. The suspect had attempted to secretly smuggle in the birds from Thailand by placing them inside plastic cages and then concealing them inside several bags. The value of the live birds is estimated at Rs. 800,000.