CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Reply To:
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Wildlife Dept blacklists, suspends people, vehicles entering Yala and any national park for three years
The Wildlife Department has blacklisted the people who recently entered the Yala National Park and drove vehicles in manner that caused grave concern to the wild animals.
The decision was announced during a meeting held under the patronage of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry Secretary Chandra Herath.
Wild Life Director General Chandana Suriyabandara said the vehicles that drove into the park would not be allowed to enter any national park in Sri Lanka for three years.
Earlier, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had suggested suspending the services of all trackers who accompanied the group while abusing wild animals in Yala National Park, as well as officials who failed to control the situation.
Also, the minister instructed the Wildlife Department Director General yesterday to immediately implement the order on the group that went berserk within the Yala National Park in a manner that could harm the wildlife.
However, following the discussion with the ministry officials, Minister Amaraweera decided to immediately identify the vehicles and persons involved in this incident and prosecute them.
In addition to the information currently available about the vehicles and visitors, the information published in the mass media and social media, as well as the information included in the photos and videos, should also be taken into consideration.
The officials who assisted this group to enter the park did not make any attempt to prevent their unruly activities, and thus, they were suspended them from work until the investigations are completed, because they did not inform the higher officials.
In a letter sent by the Wildlife Director General to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) asking for his cooperation in the investigations.
Blacklisting of people and all vehicles that were driven recklessly in Yala National Park and causing harm to wild animals, so that the individuals and their vehicles will not be allowed to enter any national park in Sri Lanka for a period of three years, and henceforth to implement this decision on the people and groups who behaved unlawfully within the national parks.
Issuing a pamphlet to inform all local and foreign tourist groups to be considerate and adopt an acceptable behavioural pattern while visiting wildlife parks. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)
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