A suspected poacher was injured and arrested after an exchange of gunfire between wildlife officers and a group of suspected hunters during an operation inside Yala National Park on Tuesday (11).
Wildlife officers attached to the Yala National Park headquarters in Thanamalwila had attempted to arrest three men suspected of hunting animals inside the reserve when the shooting broke out, according to reports.
Two of the suspects fled during the exchange, while a 44-year-old resident of the Ellagala Left Bank area in Tissamaharama was arrested by wildlife officers.
A quantity of venison and two locally manufactured firearms were recovered from the suspect, according to officials.
The injured suspect was admitted to hospital following the incident.
He was later produced before the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court, which ordered that he be remanded until Aug. 21. (Newswire)