Sri Lanka arrests foreigners over exotic animals

Sri Lankan authorities arrested six foreign nationals on charges of illegally holding amphibians and reptiles only found on the island, an official said on Sunday.

Wildlife department inspectors arrested the men on Saturday and they were later released on bail of 50,000 rupees (ê430) each and ordered to appear in court on Wednesday.

The official, who declined to be named, said the men from Australia, Belgium, Germany and Venezuela visited the Singharaja rain forest, a bio-diversity hotspot, and were accused of capturing frogs, tortoises and lizards.

They were part of a tour led by Exo-Terra, an organisation that says it is the "market leader in reptile products." There was no immediate comment from the organisation.

Wildlife officials said the men were arrested in the northwestern town of Puttalam and were about to leave the country.

Possessing exotic plants and animals can be punished with fines of up to ê430 for each animal or plant along with a jail term of up to five years.

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