Exotic Birds Whisked Into Country From Surinam Through Mattala Without Observing Quarantine And Other Rules
Shakila Ifham
January 3, 2024
Some 300 foreign birds have been illegally imported from Surinam in a private plane that arrived at Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).
The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Senior Advisor Hemantha Withanage and CEJ Executive Director Dilena Pathragoda has questioned the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation and Director General of Department of Wildlife Conservation regarding the illegal importation of exotic birds and violations of fauna and flora protection ordinance.
Senior Attorney at Law Dr. Ravindranath Dabare said that the person responsible for this import did not have the necessary license, and despite the license and other procedures like standard quarantining, the birds were delivered to the person concerned.
“It is not possible to import birds or any part of animals by putting aside quarantine rules in Sri Lanka. Are these transactions carried out in this way because there is freedom for such irregularities?” he queried.
He said that it has come to CEJ attention that a shipment of these birds, following an earlier importation, was prevented from being released due to a lack of documents and permits.
However, the birds are currently held under the custody of animal quarantine and allowed ‘safe custody’ at the premises of the importer in Hambantota until an investigation is completed.
CEJ is deeply concerned about recent information indicating potential attempts by certain officials to unlawfully detain and grant licenses for the imported birds, exploiting a previously obtained license. This not only raises significant legal issues but also poses a severe threat to our health and environment, demanding immediate and thorough attention.
According to section 43 of the Customs Ordinance, if any goods enumerated in the table of prohibitions and restrictions in Schedule F shall be imported or brought into Sri Lanka contrary to the prohibitions and restrictions contained in such table in respect thereof, such goods shall be forfeited, and shall be destroyed or disposed of as the Director General of Customs may direct.
Importing exotic birds without proper permits is a direct violation of Section 37 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. It is crucial to underline that neither Sri Lanka Customs nor the Wildlife Conservation Department has the authority to recommend re-licensing for illegally imported birds, and maintaining possession of these birds by the alleged perpetrator is legally flawed.
In light of the above, CEJ urgently request from the relevant Authorities to take the following comprehensive actions:
a) Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the illegal importation of exotic birds and take appropriate legal action against those responsible for violating the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
b) Assess the origin of the birds, given Suriname’s notorious reputation for bird and animal smuggling from the Amazon rainforest. Investigate the potential risks of diseases that these birds may carry, considering the high chances of them being wild-caught.
c) Ensure that the remaining birds are securely held in a location that strictly adheres to proper quarantine standards. This is imperative to protect both the imported birds and native wildlife from potential diseases that could have severe consequences for our ecosystem.
d) Keep the public informed about the steps being taken to address this issue and ensure transparency in the investigative and corrective process.
FAQs