By D.G. Sugathapala 

Colombo , September 27 (Daily Mirror) - An individual who had in his possessing a tortoise was fined Rs. 35,000 and the tortoise handed over to the Hikkaduwa Wildlife Office by Galle Chief Magistrate Isuru Netthikumara.

The suspect Ranepura Hevage Ajith (47) is a resident of Kaleana in Galle.

A police mobile arrested the suspect and searched his bag to find the tortoise weighing about four kilos. The suspect had stated that he was carrying it to breed in a pond in his home garden, but further investigations revealed that it was to be sold for meat. 

Sergeant 38531 Guruge produced the suspect before court on the instructions of OIC Crime Investigation Branch CI Dhammika Nagahawatta.