Those who destroy fauna and flora should be considered traitors to a nation, Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa said.
He said the Wildlife Department should be more vigilant and that tough action should be taken against suspects.
“The minister of wildlife is a wildlife enthusiast and as such president Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have appointed the most suitable person for the job,” he said.
The Minister also expressed his admiration for wildlife officers who work under trying circumstances, without basic facilities such as electricity and water.
“These wildlife officials must be hailed for their service,” he said.
However poaching goes on unabated in several parts of Hambantota, the minister said, adding that poaching was at its highest at Bundala and Yala.
“These unruly acts should be condemned and these unruly elements stopped,” he said.
The minister also said plans were underway to set up a leopard conservation and research center at the Yala national sanctuary.