President orders impartial inquiry into Yala incident, nine get bail

(Update 7.03 pm) Nine persons involved in recklessly driving within the Yala National Park were released on bail this evening. 

The suspects were arrested and six vehicles were taken into custody after they handed themselves over to wildlife officials today morning. 

The suspects were produced before Tissamaharama Magistrate and were released on personal bails of Rs.500,000 each. 

According to the Ministry of Wildlife, over 80 persons were involved in reckless driving inside the national park in 30 defenders and jeeps.

(UPDATED- 1.32 pm) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered enforcement agencies to conduct an impartial inquiry into the Yala incident where a group of about 80 persons had driven defenders and jeeps recklessly within the Yala National park last Saturday.

Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunewardena mentioned this at the weekly Cabinet media briefing today.

Meanwhile, nine persons along with six vehicles were arrested/ taken into custody after they handed themselves over to wildlife officials today.

Among the suspects were D.M. Mayura Lakshan, S.H. Buddhika Chathuranga, Abdul Raquib Mohamed, G.G.S. Anjuala, Hazmidin Mohhamed Safiq, Mohamed Gouz and Mohamed Suwair

A senior official of the Ministry of Wildlife said the suspects were among 80 persons involved in Saturday' incidents.

He said the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife 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.

The Ministry will be getting the support of the Department of Motor Traffic to track down vehicle numbers.
Plans are ahead to consider blacklisting more than 30 vehicles and its users who engaged in reckless off road driving in Yala National Park and imposing a three year ban, 

The incident took place when a group of vehicle club members advocating for off road driving had driven vehicles recklessly within the Yala National park last Saturday.

Environmental groups claim that the vehicles belonged to a group of vehicle club members who advocate off road driving.

Nine persons involved in recklessly driving within the Yala National Park were released on bail this evening.

The suspects were arrested and six vehicles were taken into custody after they handed themselves over to wildlife officials today morning.

The suspects were produced before Tissamaharama Magistrate and were released on personal bails of Rs.500,000 each.

According to the Ministry of Wildlife, over 80 persons were involved in reckless driving inside the national park in 30 defenders and jeeps.

Environmentalists have expressed concern stating 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.
They say loud noises could damage the natural lifestyle of wild animals. Other activists have voiced anger towards the wastage of fuel at a time the country is experiencing a fuel crisis.