Strict rules to check unruly behaviour in Yala

10 October 2015 02:52 am

The Wild Life Department (WLD) said yesterday it would strictly enforce the rules and regulations on the behavior of foreign and local visitors, drivers and guides within the Yala National Park.

It said a more efficient monitoring system would be in place with the deployment of more traffic police and other police officers.

WLD Director General H.D. Ratnayake said the new rules and regulations would also help to minimize the potential hazards to the environment and the wild animals in the Yala National Park.

Several incidents were reported recently where wild animals including leopards were killed after being hit by speeding vehicles.

Mr. Ratnayake said the irresponsible behavior of local and foreign visitors and drivers has endangered the lives of wild animals in to danger.

“Due to the alarming increase in the hazards faced by wild animals, we have taken measures to inform the public not to disturb the animals during their visits. In a recent incident, a group of nine people under the influence of liquor had disturbed the wild animals. They had tried to beat the animals too. We took legal action against them and now they are in police custody for violating the Wild Life Act. As such, every possible action will be taken against any individual who violates the law,” he said.

“We have also informed the police to deploy more policemen at the park to increase police patrols so that all the vehicles that enter the Yala Park will be monitored by them,” Mr. Ratnayake said.

He said humps would be set up on the roads to slow down speeding vehicles, notice boards and banners would be placed to make the public aware on the importance of upholding the law. (Piyumi Fonseka)