Yala Warden's Daily Mirror Interview: Ministry to hold inquiry

16 June 2016 08:26 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sustainable Development and Wild Life Conservation Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said he would order an inquiry into the statements made by the Warden of the Yala National Park during an interview with Daily Mirror.

He said the interview had embarrassed the ministry and tarnished the image of the government.

The minister denied the allegations made by Yala Warden Suranga Ratnayake that he had asked him to apologize to Minister Sajith Premadasa.

“I was not allowed to do my duty by Minister Premadasa. He kept visiting the Yala Park as he wished without following Wild Life Department regulations. One day, I spoke directly to the minister about it.

In response Minister Premadasa said he had a habit of visiting the park and that just because I had been appointed as the new park warden, such habits could not be changed. Minister Jayawickrama asked me to apologize to Minister Premadasa over this incident. But, I didn’t do so, because I had done no wrong,” the warden is quoted as saying.

However, the minister said Mr. Suranga had uttered lies and that he had no right to make such statement to the media.

“We will wait till situation settles down. He has made serious damage to the government. Minister Premadasa is an animal lover and a senior minister. His habit of visiting the Yala is not an offence at all. He was the one who phoned me and informed me that he heard some gun shots within the Yala sanctuary on the day the raid was carried out by the WLCD officials. I had instructed Suranga to make a complaint to the police before the suspected poachers are produced in Court. He did not do so,” the minister said. (Piyumi Fonseka)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 28

Priscilla Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:33 AM

There must be some truth in the Wardens statement. via DM Android App

A De Silva Saturday, 18 June 2016 11:18 AM

Does this mean anyone developing a habbit to visit yala can break rules and visit the park? To do so do we need to be a politician? What is the qualification that general public should have to break the rule and go to the park? Can someone tell me please.

Iqi Friday, 17 June 2016 02:46 PM

Asoka I could not have put it better.

Bala Thursday, 16 June 2016 07:19 PM

No trapped between doing the right thing and getting punished for it wrongly.

praba Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:40 PM

An officer trapped between media and politicians.

Reader Thursday, 16 June 2016 06:24 PM

Agree, Minister must follow rules and procedures like any citizen they are not above law but they came to this position with vote from citizen.

ajith Thursday, 16 June 2016 04:00 PM

Disgrace to the good governance. What is he smoking?

ordinary citizen Thursday, 16 June 2016 03:38 PM

i was in yala on may 20th to 22nd.technically, we were the first in line to get in to the park as we arrived 5 am to the ticket counters.although we had to wait till 5.45 am to get the required tickets and had to wait at the entrance till 6.00 am, sajith went in a white toyota landcruiser with out obtaining required tickets and even went in to the park around 5.30 am.there were more than 60 jeeps.i am not really sure whether he had broken any laws as he may have had these tickets in advance ??or is there a possibility to have tickets in advance ???but it's a fact that he did not come to the ticket counter nor did he wait till 6 to enter the park.

bbod Thursday, 16 June 2016 02:49 PM

Yes just like what happened to the previous chief justice

AshyD Thursday, 16 June 2016 01:27 PM

Well said. Would it not be a good idea to get the "inhabitants" of Yala into Parliament and get the "inhabitants" of Parliament into Yala. We could have a better country in a few years.

Sharon Thursday, 16 June 2016 12:25 PM

Sajith baba is no issue. Namal baba a big issue (if he visited like this)

D Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:58 AM

It's common knowledge that Sajith goes to the park during closed hours just to get a better picture of the animals. Animal lover or not, rules are rules..even if you are an MP/ Son of a former president!

andycap Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:43 AM

Totally agree with yr statement. ALL MUST be equal before the law. Sadly it might never be so.. ever.. with Srilanka politicians, whoever!! :(

Roman Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:42 AM

Premadasa's are no strangers to Yala, in fact they have been visiting yala for generations!! question is who is this suranga fellow??

sss Thursday, 16 June 2016 08:57 AM

who these guys think they are. It is the fault of the public without a backbone who bend submissively in front of these hooligans

Concerned Citizen Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:27 AM

According to this article, the minister claims to be ordering an inquiry, but has already delivered his verdict as to the result!Has the minister forgotten that he is an accused in this supposedly forthcoming "inquiry," and as such, has no power to deliver judgment under any circumstances?Do such individuals even know how to conduct an inquiry?An inquiry should be held as to who was responsible for wasting national resources by appointing such an imbecile to such a responsible post.The Park Warden has every right to express his views to the public without consulting his superiors. His superiors need to be reminded that they are paid by PUBLIC funds to be loyal to the public, and not to their own pockets.Shame on you, minister.

Citizen Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:12 AM

Sajith an animal lover or animal Sajith lover We can trust the warden but not the minister. Dirty politics via DM Android App

Palitha Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:06 AM

Let's stand by the Warden.

karu Thursday, 16 June 2016 11:01 AM

No smoke without fire.

Micky Mouse Thursday, 16 June 2016 10:40 AM

For goodness sake ... These petty problems...... What would the Lord Buddha say? :)

lkboy Thursday, 16 June 2016 10:24 AM

According to government rules he might be done a wrong, but people need to know this kind of wrong doings. I hope RTI will provide that facility to citizens.

K. C. John Thursday, 16 June 2016 10:24 AM

What is the difference between a Government Minister and a citizen when it comes to the law and order of the country? Should it not be one rule for all?The Warden of the Yala Park deserves our applause. Sadly, he will lose his job and the country will go on it's ill disciplined way. Thanks to our politicians, we will forever remain 3rd World.

das Thursday, 16 June 2016 10:02 AM

Biggest problem is taming the wild ministers who are quite accustomed to flouting laws as they please.

Asoka Thursday, 16 June 2016 09:45 AM

Hey Minister...!! I was following this scene from the very beginning and any one with common sense can understand what happened at Yala...As far as we know minister Sajith is a wildlife lover and not an animal lover...This warden is not lying...you are the one who is lying...People here in Sri Lanka know very well about our politicians...Its a well known fact this Sajith is entering to Yala from various places without using the main gate...just because you are a minister you cannot do things as you want...you have to follow the rules and regulations of the wild life department...this is a new era...now you are too old..please stay at home...

Citizen Silva Thursday, 16 June 2016 09:29 AM

If the Warden has the power under the legislation to produce in court instead of reporting to Police, why should the Minister ask to do the reverse. Smelling fish here !!!

G.M. Jayawardena Thursday, 16 June 2016 09:27 AM

The DWC minister seemed to have by passed the DWC director braking the protocol... and It may be the reason the director submitted his resignation.. why did the minister go into giving instruction to the Yala warden?..... this shows who is lying.

Cheers Thursday, 16 June 2016 09:26 AM

He told the truth so he is under the hammer this is UNP at work

Bitter voter Thursday, 16 June 2016 09:22 AM

The only one embarrassed should be you Minister!! Shameless politicians

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Yala Warden's Daily Mirror Interview: Ministry to hold inquiry

Comments - 28

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Ranil’s evolving strategy to win 2024 presidential poll

An Int’l summit avoids Sri Lanka due to beggar menace in Colombo

Sri Lanka now has highest visa costs in Asia: Tourism stakeholders

Government defends outsourcing of visa process

AstraZeneca admits for first time its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES