Deer in Hambantota under threat

Poachers hunt deer in Hambantota daily, residents in the area said.

They say the high demand for venison among tourists resulted in hunting deer in a massive scale.

The poachers sell venison to hotels and restaurants since foreigners buy cooked venison at high prices, they said.

Meanwhile, prices of eggs have increased in Hambantota. Poultry farmers said the rising cost of food for chickens impacts badly on the business.

A large number of young people in poultry farming undergo severe hardships since they cannot afford the high cost of what they need for the field.