The new Director General of the Department of National Zoology, who is in a state of controversy due to ethics as well as activities that are contrary to the National Zoo Act, has given a new baby lion cub to petting for a celebrity actress and her family members at the Ridiyagama Safari Park in Hambantota, environmentalists claim.
The actress and her family have had the opportunity to touch the baby lion, which is a rare birth, without having any Covid related preventive measures at least not with a face mask. They emphasize that such activities should not take place in a setting where two lions at the zoo have been infected with the Covid virus in the past.
Oshadhi Hewamadduma, an actress who has been actively involved in politics in support of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the main party in the government during the last elections, and her family members have taken the opportunity to do so. (She has now removed the photos from her account)
Sources from the Department of Zoology say that she was given this opportunity by the order of the present Director General.
The animal lovers are protesting that the incident took place with the support of the newly appointed Sharmila Rajapaksa as the new Director General and the world media has strongly criticized the Director General for her immoral behavior regarding the twin baby elephants born in Pinnawala recently.
She is also currently at loggerheads with zoo staff and trade unions.
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