The service of several tourist guides and wildlife officers at the Yala National Park have been suspended for failing to prevent an incident of reckless driving inside the Park, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry said.

Ministry Secretary Chandra Herath said that these officers have been suspended pending an investigation. She said the wildlife officers could have intervened or informed their supervisors if tourists are harassing wild animals, but they have failed to do so.

Meanwhile, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the group of tourists has committed a serious misconduct under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and therefore, the law should be strictly implemented in this regard.

The Minister had earlier instructed the Director General of Wildlife to take steps to file a court case against the group of tourists.

The Minister has also instructed the Ministry Secretary to send a letter to the Inspector General of Police asking him to arrest the tourists, irrespective of their status, for driving in a reckless manner inside the Yala National Park harassing the wild animals.

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