Yala damage from four-wheeler antics under the microscope
A team of six experts from the Ruhunu University on Friday visited the scene at the Yala National Park, where young drivers of dozens of modified off-road vehicles were seen spinning and carving patterns on October 22.
The visit came after the Tissmaharama Magistrate court called for reports from the experts. The Motor Traffic Department was ordered to provide the names of the owners of the vehicles. The case will be taken up on Tuesday.
The Motor Traffic Department has already submitted its report.
The Sunday Times learns that the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) plans to record statements from eight more people who were reportedly involved in the incident.
Two more vehicles are to be taken into custody following investigations.
As investigations continued, the deputy warden of Yala National Park and three others were transferred for failing to prevent the incident.
The Deputy Park Warden, K.T.U Nishantha who was in charge at the time was transferred to Wellawaya.
Thirty two powerful off-road vehicles, including jeep wranglers, a variety of sports utility vehicles, and even a Hummer had gone off track at the park and the drivers were seen having fun.
An official said that even though 35 permits had been issued, 32 vehicles had entered the park from the Palatupana entrance.
The vehicles had driven off road at Welmal Kema, Suduwelimulla and Diganwela.
The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has appointed a threemember committee composed of an additional secretary.
Ministry Secretary R.M.C.M Herath said a report is awaited.
DWC Director General Chandana Suriyabandara said further investigations are continuing.
Ruhunu University Vice Chancelloor Prof Sujeewa Amarasena said the court had ordered that the inquiry be kept confidential.
The DWC plans to arrest more suspects, an official said.
One of the main obstacles at the park, he said, was the lack of trackers. Only 17 trackers had been available that day and seven were asked to accompany the vehicles.
So far, 10 suspects including Vidana Kankanamge Dulitha Nuwan Amaraweera, 29, Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s brother’s son, have been arrested and released on bail.
Private vehicles have been temporarily barred from the park.
Safari jeep operators said high profile individuals drive off-road vehicles into the park.
Tharindu Gihan, a safari driver at Yala said if a driver even opens a door of a vehicle or parks at the side of a trail, he would be penalised.
“We would be suspended for weeks for a minor mistake, fined and even legal action taken if necessary. However, people who come to stay in bungalows are allowed to use their vehicles freely,” he said.
Yala Safari Jeep Owners Association president Ajith Priyantha said, “Most locals try to bribe guides, pressure us to stop at ‘wine stores’, and urge us to speed up so they can see more animals and cover more ground. Some even throw food out of the vehicles.’’
Yala Independent Safari Jeep Owners Association president P.D Keerthi 61, said that members will be badly impacted by the incident.