Mahaweli River near Somawathiya Reserve

• People trespass this area for entertainment due to its natural location and the sandy ground 
• There are less than 1000 wildlife officers to protect wild animals and reserves 
• Aranaganwila STF Police Inspector Ashantha said that a group had participated in the raids conducted by the wildlife officers on September 17 and 18
• Wildlife officers have not received Police assistance and STF assistance to arrest the trespassers 
• Polonnaruwa Magistrate Harshana Dhanushka Ratnayake had instructed to keep these suspects in remand custody till September 24

Revelations about groups trespassing reserves amidst the Covid-19 pandemic were reported from Polonnaruwa recently. They have reportedly trespassed Somawathiya Reserve and the Flood Plains National Park. Wildlife officers recently nabbed seven people, including the former UNP MP of Polonnaruwa District Sidney Jayarathna, who were fishing in Galrenda area in the Somawathi National Park, and eight others; not far from Galrenda who were also fishing. Another group of 30 had entered the Flood Plains National Park in five defenders, two vans and quad bikes; to ride then in the area. 

Wildlife Range Officer in charge of Somawathiya zone P. J. S. C. Palinda said that the 15 individuals including Sidney Jayarathna had entered Somawathiya reserve only to fish and bathe. Officers of Somawathiya, Manampitiya and Polonnaruwa wildlife office and Aranaganwila Special Task Force officers had conducted the raid on receiving information regarding the trespass. The officers had found four bicycles, a fishing net, a knife, a packet of food and a tent as evidence. The suspects had been released on bail pending court actions. The raid had been conducted on September 17 and 18.

When contacted Sidney Jayarathna said that he had visited the area in search of his land that was abandoned during the 80s due to terrorist activities. Jayarathna added that he was taken into custody by wildlife officers when he was on his way to the land with some villagers. At the end of this raid Wildlife officers had also received information that a group had entered the Flood Plains National Park in Polonnaruwa in defenders, vans and quad bikes from Pudur in Onegama at about 10 am on September 18.

They had conducted another raid along with wildlife officers in Polonnaruwa, Kawudulla and Minneriya offices after informing the Wildlife Assistant Director W. M. Keerthi Chandrarathna. Wildlife Range Officer Kumarasiri Wijekoon, who was in charge of the raid, said that by the time the group of officers reached the area it had been close to 10 pm. As there were too many people, the officers had informed Polonnaruwa Wildlife Director and had sought the assistance of Kaduruwela Police. As police officers had delayed in arriving they had contacted 119 Emergency Centre and Aranaganwila STF for additional help. 

A spokesperson of Polonnaruwa Wildlife Office said that the officers had to halt the raid in the end. It is uncertain whether the raid was halted because the officers were influenced. The spokesperson also said that the group which had trespassed the Flood Plains National Park had built a bonfire and were riding quad bikes and under the influence of liquor. “When the officers arrived they were drunk. 20 officers participated in the raid. In the event a dispute was to occure and if the trespassers possessed guns we sought help of the Kaduruwela Police. The police officers delayed their arrival saying they could not find the location and then we contacted the 119 emergency centre. The STF said they could not arrive at that time and they would come the next day morning. When we contacted the 119 emergency centre, they informed that officers weren’t available and three officers attached to the Kaduruwela Police had arrived. But we did not encounter them. When we tried to take them into custody, the group ran away. The group included the son of a famous businessman in Polonnaruwa. We will take legal action against those who are connected after identifying the individuals using their vehicle number plates,” said the spokesperson. 

“We could not take them into custody because they manipulated us in a manner in which we couldn’t perform our duties. We can deal with hunters, but we become helpless in the face of these types of people. Some wildlife officers have even got fed up with their jobs. We could have arrested them had they not manipulated us. We reported the matter to the court and legal actions would be taken in future.” he added.

Legal action filed 

Range Officer Wijekoon, who was in charge of the raid, said that there was no such influence made on the investigations connected to the raid. “However such influences can happen. The political situation in the country makes officers helpless after raids. We are harassed when dealing with public representatives and their associates; done by keeping with the law. People often trespass the Flood Plains National Park for entertainment and on September 18 a group had entered in five defenders and two vans. They were riding quad bikes and drinking. They also said that they had brought wood in a tractor to build a bonfire and did not take any from the forest, but this can only be proven after an investigation. They escaped when we were attempting to arrest them for trespassing a national park, building a bonfire and using the roads. Even though three officers of the Kaduruwela Police came they could not stop them. After informing Polonnaruwa Wildlife Assistant Director and the head office we took legal action through the legal division. Even though the group escaped, their identity can be traced using the number plates of their vehicles and they can be dealt with according to law for the charges of trespassing a national park, building a bonfire, using roads and escaping when attempts were made for arrest based on the raid report. I do not know the suspects personally and if a son of a famous businessman in Polonnaruwa had been there that would be proven during further investigations.

Some of the vehicles taken over duirng the raid

“Many wild animals roam the Flood Plains National Park these days. Ponds have dried out due to dry weather and exhausted animals come to the Mahaweli River for water. We are still investigating animals endemic to the National Park and this is the only wetland Flood Plain in the dry zone. People trespass this area for entertainment due to its natural location and the sandy ground. There are only less than 1000 wildlife officers to protect wild animals and reserves and such incidents make them helpless when discharging their duties.” Wijekoon added. 
Polonnaruwa Wildlife Assistant Director M. W. Keerthi Chandrarathna said that he was aware of this raid. “I contacted the 119 emergency centre for assistance and after the raid officers handed over the raid reports so that legal actions would be taken. I have informed the Wildlife Director General M. G. C. Sooriyabandara and the wildlife legal division.” said Chandrarathna. 

When inquired about the influencing of wildlife officers State Minister of Wildlife Protection Wimalaweera Dissanayake said that legal action would be taken against Sydney Jayarathna and the rest and at present they have been released on bail. Commenting on the other incident Dissanayake said that around 30 people had trespassed in defenders and bicycles. “Wildlife officers have not received Police assistance and STF assistance to arrest them. Only three police officers have arrived at the scene and they had also failed to arrest them. When wildlife officers have attempted to arrest these people they have escaped and the officers have failed to catch them. They have left the forest using the road to Thopur in Trincomalee through the forest. This is what I learnt from wildlife officers. They have noted down the vehicle number plates. The vehicle owners would be recognised based on the numbers and would be brought before the court with a ‘B’ report for charges including trespassing and escaping during the arrest. Wildlife officers are not aware of everyone who came, but they confirmed the presence of a son of a famous businessman in Polonnaruwa. I instructed the officers to locate the suspects using the vehicle number plates and to file cases against them.” the state minister added.  

Kaduruwela Police OIC Aloka Bandara Senanayake when contacted and asked why wildlife officers were not provided with assistance during the raid he said that wildlife officers did not sought police help to arrest the group who had trespassed the Flood Plains National Park in defenders. OIC Senanayake added that he was not aware of 119 assistance being sought. “The wildlife officers only sought help to arrest Sydney Jayarathna. They did not say anything about defenders,” said OIC Senanayake. Following further inquiries he said that police officers had informed him of the incident. “The wildlife officers did not reveal their location properly. They ignored our calls continuously after seeking help. I do not know whether they contacted the 119 emergency centre. I know that the Wildlife Officers had directly contacted the Police regarding the raid, but we could not contact them later,” he affirmed.

Aranaganwila STF IP Ashantha said that a group had participated in the raid conducted by the wildlife officers on September 17 and 18. “They sought help for another raid on the 18th, but there was no team to send. We informed them that a team could be sent on the 19th as the team which went to the previous raid on 17th and 18th needed a rest of five hours. However we did not get another call from them,” he added.

Wildlife Director General M. G. C. Sooriyabandara said that this incident would be reported to the court and legal actions would be taken. 

Suspects released on personal bail worth Rs 100,000

Meanwhile Wild Life officers said that they had taken steps to produce on September 22 in the Polonnaruwa Magistrate Court ten suspects, three defender vehicles and one jeep which had entered the sanctuary. Polonnaruwa Magistrate Harshana Dhanushka Ratnayake had ordered to remand the suspects till September 24. Wild Life officers told this newspaper that the Polonnaruwa Magistrate had ordered that each suspect be released on personal bail worth Rs 100,000 and the owner of each defender be slapped with a bond worth Rs 2 million and each of the other two vehicles be slapped with a bond worth Rupees 8 million.  The case will be taken up again on December 06.