Sri Lankan beauty pageant contestant fined for dancing with protected python

A Sri Lankan woman who danced with a protected python at a beauty pageant has been fined on animal cruelty charges.

A Sri Lankan court sentenced beauty pageant contestant Metmi Hiranya, 19, to a fine of 50,000 Sri Lankan rupees ($176) on animal cruelty charges, according to AFP and Sri Lankan outlet Daily Mirror on Thursday. The court also fined the Sri Lankan man who rented the python to Hiranya — and who faced the same charges — 100,000 Sri Lankan rupees.

Hiranya was indicted on charges of animal cruelty after she wrapped a 2.1-meter python around her neck and danced on stage at a beauty pageant in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, on March 20.

Video of the performance spread online and drew widespread attention.

An investigation found that Hiranya had rented the python on the morning of the pageant from a person in the northwestern Puttalam region for 25,000 Sri Lankan rupees and returned it after the event.

Sri Lanka's wildlife protection authorities said the python is a protected species and that using it in such a manner violated the country's flora and fauna protection ordinance. Both defendants acknowledged the charges in court.

Sanjiva, a Sri Lankan wildlife protection officer, said the python was released into the jungle immediately after the incident. He added that three men who had displayed reptiles in Colombo in recent weeks had also been indicted. "We issue warnings at first, but those who commit abuse or are repeat offenders are prosecuted," he said.

Sri Lanka enforces strict laws protecting wildlife, including endangered species.

The Sri Lankan High Court sentenced a mahout to 15 years in prison last year for trafficking a wild elephant, and in 2022 a tourism guide was fined 200,000 Sri Lankan rupees for taunting a wild elephant.

Despite these laws, vendors at tourist sites across Sri Lanka still sometimes charge money to display exotic animals or take photos with them.