During a meeting of government Parliamentarians, MP Jayantha Weerasinghe P.C. has reportedly opposed to the proposal of exporting the endemic monkey – Toque macaque, to China.
He has opposed the move, claiming that the animals were going to be exported for a certain body part to be eaten.
Noting that he too once had a Toque macaque as a pet, MP Weerasinghe said he therefore knew much about the species.
However, Kandy MP – Gunatillake Rajapakshe had urged the troop of Toque macaque monkeys in the ‘Udawatta Kele’ in Kandy to be exported as they caused much damage to crops in the area.
It is also reported that the MPs have expressed their opinions in favour and against the move.
It has also been emphasized during the meeting that reports claiming the animals will be exported for food, are false and that there are specialized farms breeding animals for that purpose.
