In one such instance, two thoroughbreds, worth around Rs. 4 million, were brought on February 05 by the cargo airplane CX 107.

Later, the same aircraft was used to bring three more horses, and a Nuwara Eliya businessman was allowed to take them away in violation of animal quarantine laws.

One of the horses has been sick, but it was allowed to be taken into the country.

The airport unit clears the animals without subjecting them for quarantine by saying that it has no facilities to keep the animals.

However, it has ample facilities at its premises at no: 40, Morgan Road, Katunayake, reports say.