Court orders to take suspects and vehicles into custody

A group of 80 persons were reported to have arrived at the Yala National Park in 35 vehicles last Thursday (20)

• Footage of the incident went viral on social media, with the public crying foul over the management of the Park

By Nilanthi Ranasinghe and Amila Sampath Sri  

The Tissamaharama Magistrate Tharindu Sameera Silva yesterday ordered the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to conduct a prompt investigation into the incident where a group had harassed and abused animals at Yala National Park recently and also ordered the suspects to be arrested and produced before court.  The DWC was further instructed to monitor CCTV footage of the incident where the number plates of the vehicles are seen, and to obtain a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles.    

A group of 80 persons were reported to have arrived at the Yala National Park in 35 vehicles last Thursday (20) around 2 pm. It was reported that 7 Guides and Park Rangers assisted the group in their unruly activities. The group was seen speeding inside the park and behaving in a manner which harassed animals, the court was informed.   

Footage of the incident went viral on social media, with the public crying foul over the management of the Park. The DWC informed court that the guides employed by the park had sought to relieve their duties by 5 pm that evening, according to Park officials.    The Magistrate ordered the suspects to be arrested immediately. The case will be heard next on November 9, 2022.    

Wildlife Department blacklists unruly people in Yala National Park

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

The Wildlife Department has blacklisted the people who recently entered the Yala National Park and drove vehicles in a manner that caused grave concern to the wild animals.  The decision was announced during a meeting held under the patronage of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry Secretary Chandra Herath.   

Wild Life Director General Chandana Suriyabandara said the vehicles that drove into the park would not be allowed to enter any national park in Sri Lanka for three years.   
Earlier, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had suggested suspending the services of all trackers who accompanied the group that abused wild animals in Yala National Park, as well as officials who failed to control the situation.   

Also, the minister instructed the Wildlife Department Director General yesterday to immediately implement the order on the group that went berserk within the Yala National Park.    However, following the discussion with the ministry officials, Minister Amaraweera decided to immediately identify the vehicles and persons involved in this incident and prosecute them.