Police Special Task Force (STF) officers and the Department of Wildlife Conservation have arrested two suspects for killing wild animals and harvesting meat inside Zone 02 of Yala National Park.
During a joint operation, officials recovered 92 kilograms of ox meat, a locally made firearm, two bicycles, and several other items. The arrested suspects have been identified as residents of Kataragama and Haputale.
Both suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court.
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most visited wildlife reserve, has faced persistent poaching threats despite increased enforcement. The arrest comes during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday period, when reduced park staffing and visitor activity can create opportunities for illegal hunting.
