Three suspects, including the owner of a bird sanctuary in Nagarwewa, Hambantota, have been further remanded until July 30 over allegations of hiding illegally imported motorcycles in a warehouse on the premises.
They were produced before the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court following their arrest by a special police unit attached to the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force after a raid earlier this month.
The raid, conducted based on specific intelligence received by the Acting Inspector General of Police, led officers to seize 21 high-powered motorcycles illegally imported into Sri Lanka. The motorcycles were found concealed in a feed storage area within the sanctuary and research centre.
Among the recovered vehicles were models manufactured in countries from which motorcycle imports to Sri Lanka are currently banned. According to police, one of the motorcycles alone is valued at over Rs. 15 million.
The owner of the sanctuary was arrested on July 17 following an investigation initiated after the discovery on July 12. The operation also uncovered four cannabis plants illegally cultivated within the sanctuary’s premises.
In addition to the sanctuary owner, the facility’s manager and the warehouse keeper were also taken into custody.
