During a search of the luggage of tourists conducted by Horton Plains National Park officials, insect samples, chemicals and several small animal trapping devices were found in the luggage of an American national.
Later, when wildlife officials searched a popular tourist hotel in Nuwara Eliya where the American and his female companion were staying, they found about 15 more samples of endemic insects in their room. The couple were subsequently arrested and produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court yesterday (12). The court seized their passports and ordered their release on bail of Rs. 1 million each. The case is scheduled to be taken up again on 26.01.2026
15 insect samples taken from the Wildlife Department are to be sent to the National Museums Department, a report is to be prepared and the report is to be submitted to the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court.