Minister directs action against 'gene smugglers'

Chamikara Weerasinghe

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka has directed legal action against the senior professor, who was arrested on Tuesday at the Bandaranaike International Airport while trying to leave the country to the US with samples of rare plant chromosomes, which are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Ministry sources said that the minister had instructed officials of the Environment Ministry Flying Squad and the Wildlife Department in this regard.

Minister Ranawaka said, he would not retract from taking action against gene smugglers and those who destroy the country's biodiversity.

In keeping with the country's Flora and Fauna Ordinance, no person can carry any material that has relevance to the country's biodiversity without the approval of Wildlife Director General.