The Environment Ministry said that security at national parks will be enhanced if needed after the investigation of the recent shooting at the Yala National Park.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (23), Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said that while investigations into the shooting are ongoing, the Ministry stands ready to immediately bolster Park security should any threat be identified.

When contacted by The Daily Morning regarding the probe, Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and attorney F.U. Wootler said the investigation into the Yala shooting is ongoing.  “The shooters were a team of poachers who arrived in a red car. The Police have deployed three teams to see what went wrong in the Park upon the arrival of these outsiders,” he said. Measures have been taken to alert nearby Police stations to assist in the investigation.

The shooting was reported last weekend at the Yala National Park. Authorities stated the group arrived in a car and had carried out the shooting. Following the sound of gunfire, officers at the Wildlife Conservation guard post responded and proceeded to the scene. The group then caused damage to a Wildlife Conservation Department jeep and broke through the gate to flee from the area.