Smugglers netted with 13 pythons, 3 birds and chameleon

By D.G.Sugathapala   
 A collection of reptiles and birds , which was being smuggled into a foreign country by sea was seized and five suspects arrested by the Navy on Monday night (08) during a raid in the sea off Galle.  The suspects were from Negombo, Ettukala and Dalukotuwa areas.   
 Investigations revealed that the stock of animals and birds had been handed over to them by a group of Indonesian mariners to be smuggled to India through Sri Lanka.   It included 13 pythons, three parrots, a chameleon and a tortoise.  
 The multiday trawler with the creatures was brought to the Galle Fisheries Harbour and handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Department for further action.