• A group of Army personnel had obstructed and threatened the wildlife officers

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The Major General of the Army who was involved in a heated altercation with a team of Wildlife Department officials in Habarana was released on bail by the Kekirawa Magistrate’s court yesterday. 

Maj. Gen. Mohan Ratnayake was arrested after he surrendered to the Habarana Police Station, Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said.

Wildlife officials had launched a search operation in the Habarana area in the Minneriya National Park following information that a group was attempting to abduct a baby elephant.

While the wildlife officers were on guard, two suspicious vehicles had entered the park on June 25 and the wildlife officers had tried to stop and search the two vehicles but they had continued to drive away. The officers on duty at the Minneriya National Park had chased the two vehicles which had driven in to a main army camp in Anuradhapura.

It was reported that, later, a group of Army personnel had followed the wildlife officials and confronted and threatened the wildlife officers.

Both the wildlife officers and the Major General had complained to the police over the incident.

The Kekirawa Magistrate Saman Weraniyagoda on Wednesday ordered the Habarana OIC to immediately arrest and produce in court the Army officer and other members of the Army who allegedly assaulted a wildlife officer on duty at the Minneriya National Park.

• Wildlife officials had launched a search operation in the Habarana area in the Minneriya National Park following information that a group was attempting to abduct a baby elephant