President calls for impartial investigation over Yala National Park incident: Cabinet Co-Spokesman

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena

• A total of 9 individuals and 7 vehicles involved in the incident surrendered to officials yesterday

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena yesterday confirmed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an impartial investigation over Monday’s incident at the Yala National Park.

“President has already issued directives to conduct a comprehensive investigation and to bring all those who are involved and responsible before the law. Irrespective of their status and affiliations to political parties or persons will be brought to book if they are covering up in existing democratic rights and are engaged in illegal activities,” he explained in responding to a query posed at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

On Monday, around 100 individuals who entered the Yala National Park in a fleet of 33 vehicles drove recklessly harassing the wild animals in violation of the Fauna and Flora Protection Act. The incident came to light after a video went viral on social media.

The group was singled out after video footage on social media showed 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.

Already, nine individuals who entered and recklessly drove defenders and cabs within the National Park surrendered yesterday morning, whilst seven vehicles involved in the incident have also been handed over to Wildlife officials.

Minister Gunawardena said the Wildlife Ministry Secretary R.M.C.M. Herath had written to the Inspector General of Police to assist with investigations and to arrest the remaining who ran amok in a national park.

Cabinet Co-Spokesman who is also the Transport Minister said that he will be getting the support of the Department of Motor Traffic to track down vehicle numbers.

Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Tuesday ordered to prohibit entry into any national parks in Sri Lanka for those individuals involved in the incident on Monday, disturbing wild animals and entering areas of the park restricted to the public.

Environmentalists too expressed concerns claiming that reckless off road driving can damage plants, animals and ecosystems, as the speed driving damages soil, vegetation and even make changes to the land. Other activists have voiced wrath towards the wastage of fuel at a time the country is experiencing a fuel crisis.

Wildlife Department Director-General Chandana Suriyabandara temporarily suspended the services of seven safari tour guides who neglected their duties and contributed directly or indirectly to the incident until the investigations are completed.

A three-member committee was also appointed to conduct investigations related to the reckless driving incident in the Yala National Park. Several decisions were also taken during a discussion held under the patronage of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry Secretary Chandra Herath on the Yala National Park incident.

In addition to the information currently available about the vehicles and individuals, the information published in the mainstream media and social media as well as photographic evidence and video footage will be taken into consideration when taking forward the inquiry.