Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (26) ordered an ornamental fish businessman, who pleaded guilty in Court to possessing seven priceless species of coral, to pay Rs.150,000 for seven charges. The Wildlife Department had presented the suspect to the court and after pleading guilty to several charges including possessing seven special species of coral, exhibiting them for sale, a
fine was imposed on him and the magistrate ordered that he be released with a thorough warning concerning the other charges.
The suspect named Mohammad Niaz Mohammad Rifai, who was arrested on suspicion and released on bail, when the special types of coral named Pavites, Pavia, Kanjia, Eupelia,
Afraphora, Sarcopyton and Neopatroy, were displayed for sale in a private company selling ornamental fish in Kollupitiya and fines were imposed.
A fine of Rs.50,000 was ordered to be paid and a date was fixed for the payment of the remaining fine. This raid had been carried out by Bellanwila wildlife officials.
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