Probe launched after 10 turtles found dead on Colombo beaches

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) launched an investigation to find the cause of at least ten dead turtles that washed ashore to Colombo beaches during the weekend.

Concerns raised after carcasses of three turtles were found on Mount Lavinia beach yesterday. Today, five more dead turtles were found washed onto the Galle Face beach while another two were found in pretty much the same condition on the Wellawatte beach.

Confirming the unnatural turn of events, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara, Director General of the DWC told the Daily Mirror that a court order would be sought from the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court to obtain experts’ opinions to figure out the cause of the events.

He said that when thousands of turtles come to beaches to lay eggs in the nesting season, it is common to find a few dead turtles after them getting entangled in fishing nets. 

However, he reiterated that the finding of a large number of carcasses should be investigated. (Piyumi Fonseka)