President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the relevant authorities to carry out an impartial investigation into the recent incident involving unruly motorists within the national park.
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the media today (26) that the law enforcement authorities have been ordered to take measures to punish those found to be guilty, free of political influence.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Wildlife Department M.G.C. Sooriyabandara told NewsWire that a group of persons who had been involved in the incident has been arrested and legal action has been initiated against them.
Sooriyabandara added that he cannot disclose further information as a court case has been filed on the incident and the proceedings are ongoing.
Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday announced that the individuals and vehicles that were involved in behaving in an unruly manner inside the Yala National Park have been prohibited from entering any national parks in Sri Lanka.
In a message on Facebook, he said that the group has been prohibited from entering any national park in Sri Lanka for a period of 03 years.
The minister added that the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation has made a written request from the Inspector General of Police to arrest all those involved in the incident.
The 07 safari tour guides who had accompanied the group have also been temporarily suspended from service pending investigation.
Various legal measures are being taken after video footage emerged of a convoy of off-road vehicles and SUVs driving in a reckless manner inside the Yala National park, an action which is prohibited.
The video footage earned severe backlash on social media platforms, with many highlighting the serious dangers to the wild animals within the national park and its effects on the ecosystem. (NewsWire)