Police Hunt for Bird Park Owner Over Illegal Luxury Bike Imports

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan police have launched an investigation into the alleged illegal importation of luxury motorbikes, with the owner of the Hambantota Bird Park now wanted in connection with the case.

According to senior police officials, efforts to apprehend the suspect included searches in the Hambantota area and a private hospital in Colombo. However, the individual remains at large and is believed to be evading arrest.

The investigation was triggered after police seized 21 illegally imported vehicles, including 8 luxury motorbikes and 4 tricycle-type motorbikes, from a warehouse located within the Hambantota Bird Park premises. The raid was conducted by officers from the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau, acting on a tip-off received by the Acting Inspector General of Police.

Two individuals — the Bird Park’s manager and the warehouse keeper — have already been arrested and remanded until July 25.

Police estimate the total value of the seized vehicles to exceed Rs. 200 million. Authorities also revealed that the suspects may have been involved in similar smuggling operations in the past, and further investigations are underway.