Sri Lankan pageant contestant fined over python dance

A Sri Lankan court fined a 19-year-old beauty pageant contestant after she danced on stage with an endangered python, a wildlife official said Wednesday.

The wildlife department prosecuted Methmi Hiranya after her act five months ago in Colombo went viral on social media, protection officer MP Sanjeeva said.

Hiranya was fined 50,000 rupees, or $181. The man who loaned the non-venomous, seven-foot python was fined 100,000 rupees. Both pleaded guilty.

“They were fined the maximum allowed under the law during a court hearing late last month,” Sanjeeva said. “Soon after the act, the python had been released into a jungle.”

Sri Lanka has strict flora and fauna laws that prohibit handling wildlife, particularly endangered animals. Sanjeewa said three men were prosecuted at Colombo's Galle Face promenade in recent weeks for exhibiting reptiles.

Sanjeewa said snake charming and domesticating monkeys for circus acts are not prohibited, but cruelty to animals can result in charges.