Courtesy The Daily Mirror

The Tissamaharama Magistrate Tharindu Sameera Silva today 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. (Nilanthi Ranasinghe and Amila Sampath Sri)