�,I������[jٔ��w��e��-�M��C�*�ٝ�kkv�)��h>�fa� ��RU�ˮ�jQ���ki6� De Silva and Janssen monitored three trading groups on Facebook and reptile classifieds sites between September 2016 and October 2018 to study trends. Reptiles in Yala National Park. In 2018, researchers referred to a considerable increase in reptiles being smuggled through or out of the country, linking how Sri Lankan reptiles have previously been recorded in the European market. This is an old Victorian law that doesn’t exactly state that homosexuality is illegal, but it is used to impose the illegality of same-sex relations. 4 of 1978; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Seventy-one species of reptiles belonging to nine families have been recorded from Sinharaja. I ���:%��_+�.����Z��*�Pև@+`��������V�\��/�3w|:� This amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.14%. The Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) was the most commonly observed species, with 116 specimens reported as originating in Sri Lanka. endstream endobj startxref “, The presence of protected reptiles from Sri Lanka in international commercial trade: Traffic Bulletin Vol. and blessed with a population of nearly 6000 wild elephants. 9��3�Y"��tg�9GJ~l��sOG�,����9����I�н�U,��/[�m^����� [0����������m6���l� �{�b�)�1��۷��;,�a��h i�.��n?��`fs�#)� ���sݺ�>;[��;����0.��P�A��`�����p�㠸 In 2010, German pet traders visited Sri Lanka to discuss export options for Sri Lankan reptiles, while in 2012, six foreigners were caught trying to smuggle Sri Lankan endemic reptiles and amphibians. �Y#�Z�C��blĢl�d��#u��8�H�*\�N�,�[r� yll$���,�V`�d5� �"%�B*� �}��S{v-���76���Rj.�@����ϙYa�0YG��rn�G��ưA�`f�e�`��M��2�R�10?� � �)��k)85� ��d�qI�8~z����bH��~m��D/I����� All are already either on the National Red List, the IUCN’s Red List, or both, said de Silva, who has researched reptiles for over five decades. Section 18(1) makes provision that where any immovable property of the State is required for the purpose of the business of the Board, such land can be given to the Board by a special grant or lease. Dr B. M. Batagoda, Director, Environment Division 2. The 1979 Statute was based on the WIPO Model Law. (1A) No person shall, on any State land or any part [4,1 of 1970] A total of 13 out of 18 species observed in this study were not observed in a previous study carried out in 2014, indicating the demand for Sri Lanka’s endemic species is on the rise. The international pet trade has taken a new face with online sales, particularly targeting Sri Lankan reptiles, said de Silva: “There are frequent offers for sale on classified reptile websites, though very little is known about the scale or extent of this trade.”. SRI LANKA RULE OF LAW ASSESSMENT REPORT 2010 MARCH 2010 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. The study found 130 advertisements offering a total of 477 protected endemic reptiles, representing 18 species. “They don’t make rapid movements and can survive on a variety of foods, making them popular among pet owners,” he said. Just as Sri Lanka has a religious freedom law, it also has a law which states that ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’ is illegal. Between 1990 and 2000, Sri Lanka lost an average of 26,800 ha of forests per year. An example can be traced back to the late 19th century when the Chanks Ordinance of 1880 was introduced to control the collection and export of chanks from the Gulf of Mannar region and around the Jaffna Peninsula. Facebook posts accounted for 75 animals of 11 species. An Introduction to reptile of Sri Lanka The island Sri Lanka is situated in the Indian Ocean, south west of the Indian peninsula, between longitudes 79o 39’ and 81o 53’ E and latitudes 5o 54’ and 9o 52’ N, and has a total land area of 65,600 km2. 1 �� lWr0�_4�t6S� ��s���55�3�0J�ܝ��T�h���I��͘S�bb`�exǘĹ`Q�w�4#0n�Ec�-�@D �mz� Males are strictly territorial and solitary, unlike … 52 of 1979. �}'��l��s��f9�m��2iF~:i�Qڮg���]�m{' ՙh�le�i�+Y��dת�V7X2�N��R�����(�ǎ7 b�"��9r�r�#%�ֈ. endstream endobj 201 0 obj <>stream are increasingly finding themselves in dangerous situations. December 2007; Environmental Management 40(5):727-38; DOI: 10.1007/s00267-005-0154-x. We want robust implementation of domestic conservation laws and enhanced global protection to curb illegal trade.”. Photo by J. Janssen. Twenty-seven mammal, 340 bird, 7 reptile, and 9 plant, species are absolutely protected. If spotted, the lizard will open its mouth and display its red-colored throat and its teeth. The Sri Lanka green pit viper was the most commonly imported into the U.S., at 30 specimens between 2007 and 2013, according to the data. “Of the 14 countries that were documented to sell reptiles from Sri Lanka, only three were non-European. WORKING HOURS AND OVERTIME Working Hours. %PDF-1.6 %���� 57 of 1981. forests. In Sri Lanka the Constitution is the supreme body of laws governing the country and no law can go beyond it. 228 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<970031AAC74B0C4F9448E172D912B765><8F640C7E735EFC4DB09D03A9E7B67160>]/Index[197 63]/Info 196 0 R/Length 143/Prev 736337/Root 198 0 R/Size 260/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream On December 10, 1982 the Convention was signed by 119 delegations. As per the SOEA regulation, the common time period of employment (exclusive of rest and … in all reptile species is prohibited, with a few exceptions. All extant reptiles are well documented through research by many local and foreign … The reptile fauna recorded from the park is 46 and five of them are endemic. Employees who are occupied in an office or shop will be administered by the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No. Sri Lankan krait, Boulenger's keelback, Sri Lankan flying snake, painted-lip lizard, and Wiegmann's agama are the endemic species. He said Sri Lanka was endowed with a high diversity of wildlife, including 219 reptile species, many of them endemic to the tropical island’s multitude of natural ecosystems that include forests, grasslands, sand dunes, wetlands and mangroves. Reptiles of Sri Lanka. M��-��`��T�iz����zK/��o����U ߲��:S�����~:j��iy�N�Y�)��_���E��x��8�/�8?��:��:Ao��i�Y���#��� �Om�{�f� ��s֭k��S��[ݡ��pw���Qݗ���e۹ �B�3F��:*����Vn�?�h���@�: Intimidation of Brazil’s enviro scientists, academics, officials on upswing, Red flag: Predatory European ships help push Indian Ocean tuna to the brink, Podcast: Though humanity exceeds key ‘planetary boundaries’ there are many solutions, Captive lions kept in ‘stressful conditions’ create perfect recipe for disease, experts say, As Brazil’s military pulls out of the Amazon, its legacy is in question. Marine Protected Areas in Sri Lanka: A Review. Marine Protected Areas And Management. LGBTQ travellers coming to Sri Lanka need to be aware of this to not be harassed or even arrested. Reptile offers were collected from groups that offered rare and uncommon species and websites that mentioned Sri Lankan endemic species or species for which Sri Lanka was the reported origin. K.M of landmass. The most commonly traded was the Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans), with 116 specimens reported as originating from Sri Lanka, followed by  69 specimens of pygmy lizard (Cophotis ceylanica) and 57 specimens of the rhino-horned lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii), both found only in Sri Lanka. LIZARDS: There are five ‘lizard like’ reptiles that I will deal with in this article. The island is situated within the Tropical zone-hot wet and humid for most parts of the year. Between 2000 and 2005 the rate accelerated to 1.43% per annum. Sri Lanka. 2 Citation Final Report on Land Tenure onsiderations in Sri Lankas Proposed National REDD+ Strategy Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme Disclaimer Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is allowed In a previous article I wrote about one set of reptiles, the turtles and tortoises. The spike in organized animal trafficking and collection in Sri Lanka comes despite a general prohibition on the trading of all reptile species, with a few exceptions. Under section 30 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) of 1993, all reptiles, except five venomous snake species, are protected and their collection is prohibited. Despute such efforts, conservation science and practice, based on ecological studies, have lagged behind, but some progress is being made through the work of foreign and local scientists, and the new interest taken by Government and the universities. The data showed the animals were sold mainly in the European pet market, including Germany, France, the U.K., Italy and Spain, as well as Russia and the U.S., with single specimens or breeding pairs fetching high prices. The study, carried out by the Canada-based Monitor Conservation Research Society in collaboration with Sri Lankan herpetologist Anslem de Silva was recently  published in the TRAFFIC Bulletin, titled ‘The presence of protected reptiles from Sri Lanka in international commercial trade.’. The island is about 60 km from the southwestern tip of the India. Sri Lanka is party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that was adopted by the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) on April 30, 1982 after lengthy conference negotiations at which 157 Governments took part. Demand is increasingly Despite enforcement efforts, customs authorities have not been able to reduce the export of species for commercial purposes, and the researchers believe that their placement on CITES Appendix I could exert greater pressure on import markets in Europe and elsewhere in the protection of those species. Added Janssen: “The study also highlights once again that the lack of legal protection for nationally protected species in the EU, makes the EU a key player in the illegal trade in such species. Lead author, Jordi Janssen told Mongabay that the study reinforces the need for serious consideration of the specific species for inclusion in the CITES Appendices. Sri Lanka Dr B. M. Batagoda, Director, Environment Division Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources Sampathpaya, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka Tel: 94-1-887452 Fax: 94-1-877292 LIST OF OTHER COUNTRY CONTRIBUTORS Sri Lanka 1. Although the Population growth is about 1.1% per year in Sri Lanka, the population growth in the rural areas showing a higher value than the National average. Conservation and Management of reptiles of Sri Lanka Some specific and general proposals regarding conservation, management and captive breeding of reptiles are listed below: General proposals 1. Dr. H.M. Kodisinghe 4. Offers were collected in a random manner using keyword searches (Terraristik.com) and notifications (Facebook) relating to species and genus names. Introduction of a module on reptile and amphibian diseases into the undergraduate curriculum. The paper recorded at least 3,130 star tortoises seized between 2015 and 2017 alone, while some 124 Indian spotted turtles (Geoclemys hamiltonii), a CITES Appendix I-listed species and non-native to Sri Lanka, being confiscated by law enforcement agencies in 2015 en route through the country. Km. %%EOF Even if President of Sri Lanka the ‘executive’ violates the constitution on a serious breach, an impeachment against the president could be brought up by the ‘sovereign’ the citizens of Sri Lanka. The lucrative nature of the exotic pet trade incentivizes poachers and traffickers and seriously threatens the animals being poached from the wild. h��YkS�F�+��L�jߏ�3��� &�胂��،�����ޕ%K~�i�v4B+ݻ�s��p�%\P��+#L�='�K� hbspt.cta.load(5981609, 'ffe07749-0055-4a95-85b3-bce123fc330c', {}); Mongabay is a U.S.-based non-profit conservation and environmental science news platform. In Sri Lanka there had been Legislation to protect marine organisms more than a century ago. In the 1920s, the island had a 49 percent forest cover but by 2005 this had fallen by approximately 26 percent. Such tasks can be termed as a national responsibility. �2�}�ɰ~ ��pH��hJ:���u���~yӹz������*�Z��=�bϝY�XVL�+��fOTޛ�������qi�Wkq?�KB�sS[���!E�͸�� �-c�����A�-|�]�j7ە��}���#�-�%�����D�ZD�ٌ0�s�a;e�cR;�u� ��)��O��LJWD/>��oG�^^_(I8�6�]i­C�`n�x�cHW��w/SG�Y���Q]i4X�~h�-8Ӭ��5����/ ��_������(������g2J��eD 3� �GY� Despite this threat, it won’t bite. Although export from Sri Lanka has been prohibited, these species can be relatively freely traded in the EU, said Janssen, urging the EU to recognize the role this market plays as a destination and transit point for smuggled reptiles. The presence of protected reptiles from Sri Lanka in international commercial trade RReport by Jordi Janssen and Anslem de Silva eptiles are sourced in great volumes for both the legal and illegal markets and for a variety of purposes, including for food, leather, as pets and for use in traditional medicines (Böhm et al., 2013; Nijman et al., 2012). Of the observed species in this study, it is the only one listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). While Sri Lanka possesses this legal framework within which biodiversity can be protected, updating protected species lists on the FFPO to automatically include species that are protected under the CITES treaty which Sri Lanka is party to, as well as standardizing how biodiversity is evaluated in EIA and IEE reports are some measures that can be taken to make these laws more effective. When it came to this snake species, the U.S., Poland, Germany and Slovakia had the most individuals on offer. Sri Lanka has proposed 10 sub-species of lizards for inclusion in CITES Appendix I, for increased protection. Source; PubMed; Authors: Nishan Perera. of any bird or reptile or any nest of any bird, in any Sanctuary. “Through the study, we came to understand that Agamid lizards are extremely popular as pets and are regularly offered for sale, some being sold for over $1,000,” said de Silva, a senior herpetologist and co-author  of the study. In Sri Lanka Intellectual Property is protected by the provisions of the Intellectual Property Act No 36 of 2003 which replaced the Code of Intellectual Property Act No. Dr. Pradeepa Silva 5. "8�K"�ha� �JA�@Ac����B�&%ԁ�lT���U�!����XPDP����!�r�KZ"��Dȓ�R�H�F��0ʼnRJCAM)4�$ѾC�Vam%&b8�dK�Ԍ�{�G��d�'LF��y$o�� �F�A:z��u�5~(�$$ޜ���Qq_�9�O�Oq�3܈��d8����I����x�� animal act acts nos. It is also the most widely distributed crocodile species as it can travel long distances by sea and colonize new locations. � ,*|�E�?n,Q��tb���� :΀�V��ӗA+��X���"Q�쬌g��u���"�@T�2>��k��a@����$[��.�yV6+޷`u.��feh3r&T��DJ�2b\�0��p�Et�s]Č�c��a�z��`����pF z�MAuJ �����*�T+M$�о&���LmJ����z�uW@. Currently in Appendix II, it has been proposed for listing in Appendix I, effectively prohibiting all international commercial trade in wild Indian Star Tortoises. Deforestation is one of the most serious environmental issues in Sri Lanka. H��Wko�����W�G���D~.lRl����E1���l��rH;���ܙ! "��hwɗx8M��Np9�\]�l�5�k�Р��ﺝx�d������g߲�ngI��j��xr����Q�f�o���1�f�ף�`�9yt����g��i��7�J4ۭn��|8? 0 Protected areas of Sri Lanka are administrated by Department of Forest Conservation and Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka.There are 501 protected areas in Sri Lanka. Of the 14 countries documented to be selling Sri Lankan reptiles, only three were outside Europe, with the U.S. offering the largest number of Sri Lankan reptiles for sale, followed by vendors from Canada and Malaysia. Initiate well designed studies to gather information on the distribution and status of reptiles. Offers to sell were primarily linked to 14 countries, with vendors from Germany offering the largest number of Sri Lankan reptiles for sale: 248 individuals of 17 species. The island of Sri Lanka is situated between the latitudes of 5º 54` and 9º 52 N longitudes 79º 39` and 81º 53 E, at the southern point of Indian subcontinent. Our EIN or tax ID is 45-3714703. The leaf-nosed lizard (Ceratophora tennentii) and Sri Lanka green pit viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus), both endemic to the island, were offered for sale in five countries. coast conservation (amendment) act no 64 of 1988. an act to amend the coast conservation act, no. Prior to the 1979 Statute the Sri Lankan law was governed by the Trademarks Ordinance No. Reptiles have always been smuggled through or out of Sri Lanka, said de Silva, who is calling for additional safeguards to prevent trafficking. The average population density of the country is about 254 persons / sq km in Sri Lanka. 4 Sri Lanka Law Reports [2008] 1 SriL.R be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act and be transferred to the Board; and 3. 1968 and the board of investment sri lanka law, no. Offers for star tortoises, found in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, and pygmy lizards were recorded in six countries, suggesting that these species are relatively widespread in international commercial trade. Janssen and de Silva used the LEMIS Database, which contains U.S. records for the import or export of four Sri Lankan species, with a total of 52 animals. Sri Lanka has submitted the highest number of proposals for species listing in Appendix I and Appendix II at present, indicating a strong interest in conserving its biodiversity. Our biweekly podcast delivering news & inspiration from nature’s frontline. The largest agamid lizard in Sri Lanka, adults are found clinging to tree trunks. including Ivory in Sri Lanka Background Sri Lanka is an island with a total extent of 65,000 Sq. The researchers also relied on unpublished data from Sri Lanka’s Department of Customs and other law enforcement agencies including the police, navy and the air force to further corroborate their findings, de Silva said.