1. Samantha Gunasekara Deputy Director of Customs Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division Sri Lanka Customs gunasekara.samantha@gmail.com Symposium on Combating Wildlife Crime Bangkok, Thailand

2. Established in 1994 as an informal movement (BPTF) 1st Customs cell of this nature 1999 - BPU (Formally established) 2010 - Expanded as Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division (BCNP) As of today more than 20 national level recognitions including Presidential Environment Award

3. Enforcement of Customs law & other related laws at entry/exit points National level Empowered under Section 12, Schedule B of Customs Ordinance Restricted articles/goods – Regulations Prohibited articles/goods – Legal action Prevention, Detection, Investigation, Inquiries, Phenalize,dispose International level Conventions/Agreements/MOUs/ etc.

4. Contribution towards policy matters Enforcement/Detections Capacity building/Education Research/Survey/Data gathering Publications/Publicity/Awareness/Environmental issues Facilitation/Proper guidance

5. Rich Biodiversity of Sri Lanka – a Biodiversity Hotspot Geographical location of Sri Lanka – mid of Sea/Air routes Being a targeted country and transit country Short of human resources/trained staff

6. Infrastructure facilities Lack of priority /Poor awareness Legal gaps – Including CITES regulations As Customs has a major role in enforcement of CITES Suggesstions Barcoding of life/high tech/strengthening the info sharing/ Capacity build/Reduce unnecessary documentations. Detection of Red sanders Detection of Rhino horns

8. Elephant Tusks-

9. Pangolin scales Dried sea-horses SL Agar wood

10. Bird eggs Live birds Salacia Sandalwood