Sri Lankan beauty pageant contestant fined with animal cruelty

A contestant in Sri Lanka's Miss World University pageant has been fined for animal cruelty after she was photographed holding a baby elephant. The incident has drawn attention to the country's robust laws designed to protect its wildlife, particularly endangered animals.

The young woman, identified as Piumi Hansamali, was photographed with the elephant calf during a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. While the orphanage is a popular tourist destination, handling the animals, especially young ones, is strictly prohibited under Sri Lanka's flora and fauna protection laws. These regulations are in place to ensure the welfare of animals and prevent their exploitation.

Authorities have imposed a fine on Hansamali for her actions. This penalty underscores the seriousness with which Sri Lanka enforces its environmental protection measures. The country has long been committed to safeguarding its rich biodiversity, and such incidents serve as a reminder of the legal consequences for violating these protective statutes.