SLPP politicians’ son, nephew led-group wreaked havoc in Yala

A senior official at the Department of Wildlife yesterday identified the ring leaders of the recent daring escapade at the Yala National Park as the son of an SLPP MP and the nephew of a minister.

Wildlife Department and Forest Department officials along with nature lovers repeatedly urged Wildlife Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara to take action against those who had wreaked havoc at the National Park.

However, seven individuals, who drove SUV inside the Yala sancutary in a reckless manner, and two others who filmed the incident, surrendered to the park officers yesterday. Seven SUVs were taken into custody.

The Wildlife Department said nine individuals and the seven SUVs had been produced before the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Mahinda Amaraweera, instructed the Director-General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation to take immediate legal action against those involved in the incident.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation decided to appoint a three-member committee to investigate park officers who had failed to take action to control the situation.

Ministry Secretary Chandra Herath said the committee would be appointe after discussing the matter with Minister Amaraweera. The panel will be led by an additional secretary of the Ministry with the assistance of Police.