Nephew of minister hands himself in after Yala debacle

October 30, 2022

The nephew of Minister for Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera, speculated as being among the group whose incursion into the Yala national park last week has been making headline news, has handed himself in and has been granted bail. Reliable sources said he handed himself in yesterday (Saturday 29^th October) and was produced before a magistrate on the same day. A vehicle which he had handed over is believed to have been retained. Amaraweera’s son is alleged to have also been a part of the group and the surrender is believed to be a ploy to deflect attention from this. Amaraweera has denied his son’s involvement in the incident.

Earlier last week the Thissamaharama Magistrate allowed bail to nine people who were arrested for violating the park rules after they handed themselves in following the incident. They are Dhanushka Prasad, Suresh Chaturanga, Hasmideen Mohamed Shafeeq, Mohamed Ghouse Mohamed Zuhair, Chamikara Buddhika Chaturanga, Abdul Rasheek Rakhib Mohamed, Senal Anjula Kulatunge, Mayura Lakshan Fonseka Senaratne and Samith Sachintha Ratnayake. They are suspected of having got off their vehicles inside the park and driving in contravention of the law.

The keys and vehicles with registration numbers UP CBI 4779, WP JY 3902, CAS 7494, CP PI 1124, 31-5495, NW CAO 1866 and CP KI 3907 are in the custody of the court.