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Wilpattu guides assaulted

25 May 2010 03:08 am - 27     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha


A group of tourists, including 15 civil defence force personnel, visiting the Wilpattu national park assaulted two park guides and two drivers and also damaged two jeeps. The Nochiyagama police said they had received a complaint over the incident and had commenced investigations.

The incident occurred when a group of 40 tourists who were visiting the park last evening on board 4 jeeps with the two guides, had wanted to consume liquor inside the park premises despite it being prohibited.

When the guides at the first instance had refused to allow the tourists to consume the liquor at one location the tourists had made another attempt at another location only to be obstructed by the guides and the jeep drivers, a park official told Daily Mirror online.

Following another failed attempt the tourists including the civil defence force personnel had assaulted the guides and drivers and damaged two jeeps. Park officials who were in the area had later arrived at the scene resulting in a scuffle between both parties.

The two guides were admitted to the Nochiyagama hospital for treatment while two civil defence force personnel were also injured and admitted to hospital. The Nochiyagama police told Daily Mirror online they were recording statements from those involved in the incident and will subsequently arrest the suspects responsible for the incident. (Daily Mirror online)


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  Comments - 27

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  • Tuesday, 25 May 2010 05:35 AM

    The ministry is directly under Basil now, lets see, if does something about it

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 11:00 AM

    In the first place tourists don't consume alcohol like we sri lankans do. They do drink, but in a differant way. They will enjoy the wildlife safari with a clear mind. They will drink, when they go back to the hotel. We start drinking from colombo, just before starting the trip.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 10:03 AM

    True, the article does not explain from which country these "tourists" came from or if they where even local (Sri Lankan) tourists.
    No serious tourist use alcohol inside a wildlife reservation, and like in most countries, that is forbidden also in Sri Lanka.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 09:57 AM

    I doubt anything will happen to the civil defense, like everyone says they will be out harassing some other poor soul. These tourist, would they get to do something like that in an African wild life park or anywhere else? The tour guides, the local tour company and the international tour company if any which sends them should be warned and told of this, otherwise they will keep sending people of this sort, plus the tour guides and companies should tell these people how to behave! A big international or local tour company wouldn't want their name to come up for sending tourists of this sort.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 09:27 AM

    "Animals" visiting wild life park to see other animals, attacking human beings: thats the only way this episode can be described! The so called "Civil Defence" personnel did not even know the meaning of civil defence

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 09:27 AM

    Plz dont insult four legged animals.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 09:26 AM

    Speak for yourself. Dont blame the country and everyone for the actions of a few. Every country has a share of these idiots. We just need better and more effective ways to deal with them. Until you go to heaven (via whatever religion,) you are likely to encounter bad apples.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 08:30 AM

    Animals behaving badly.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 08:03 AM

    Usually in a national park, the guides get assaulted by bears, leopards, elephants, wild boards but in this case they were attacked by even wilder animals,

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 07:53 AM

    The word "tourist" is intentionally misleading. Why would normal tourists be doing with Civil Defence people? These are no ordinary western tourists. There is something more to be said.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 07:04 AM

    This is not good for tourism. If there is no alcohol - there will be no tourism. What business do defence personnel have to do with this - its a matter for the police. What do Gota (Defence) and Basil (tourism) have to say?

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 06:58 AM

    Why was no one arrested if a crime has been committed. Did they not assault 2 park guides , the 2 drivers of the vehicles and damage vehicles. They should have arrested the whole lot and then let the not guilty go and held the alleged guilty for a magistrate to decide.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 06:37 AM

    LAW OF THE JUNGLE

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 06:08 AM

    The guides should understand the civil defence (gambatta) or national defence has the right to assault anybody. This is Sri Lanka. This thing won't have gone this much far if they were allowed to drink. why you want to bother if the leaders don't bother?

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 03:26 AM

    Whereever did you hear justice in this banana republic. All those guys will be released in no time from orders from higher up, or otherwise the local police will release them after "something".

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 05:26 AM

    A basic list of guide lines should be given to tourist indicating what they should do and not do.This is bad behavior and the culprits need punishment.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 05:26 AM

    This is all, cos we have been visited by tourists from the indecent down trodden sects of the European society (mostly Eastern Europeans), who come cos of the cheap packages. Still we don't have the ability to attract descent tourists who would pay the extra money, cos of the disastrous situation of the country

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 05:15 AM

    Just drag the Investigation until the culprits flee the Island.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 05:13 AM

    There is no law and order in the country. The law is only for the innocent poor who are the majority and the decent hardworking citizens, The law is on the side of convicts, drug addicts,This is worse than Zimbabwe or Somalia. The poor and officials have no say in this country. See what will happen when the AG starts acting, People will have hell to pay.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:58 AM

    I hate this country - it's people to be more precise. We are nothing but a bunch of uncivilised, selfish idiots.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:50 AM

    INSIDE WILD - WILDS FIGHTS

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:37 AM

    lucky nore more ltte for blaming

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:31 AM

    This is what they mean't by meeting/catering to
    all the tourists' needs/whims.
    Whether legal or not is immaterial.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:28 AM

    The guides at the Wilpattu park are doing a duty. They must not be bites to anyone!

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:23 AM

    Tourist Terrorism.

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 03:43 AM

    I feel sorry for the officials that maintain law and order to protect wild life

    Tuesday, 25 May 2010 03:41 AM

    Wilpattu park is not a place to have a booze...if you'll so badly want to booze there is a place called "Bar"....I salute the bravery of the guides....Good Job guys...!!!


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