(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Minneriya National Park has been temporarily closed following a clash between the wildlife officers and a group of villagers.
A group of villagers has attacked the wildlife officers after the officers arrested a villager illegally fishing in a reservoir in the national park.
The wildlife officers have arrested a group of fishermen while they were fishing inside the park using banned fishing nets. However, when the fishermen were being brought to the main office of the Wildlife Conservation Department, they have escaped.
After a great effort the officers have managed to capture one of the fishermen. When he was brought to the office, around 300 villagers have entered the park and attacked the officers taking away the arrested fisherman.
Six wildlife officers have sustained injuries in the attack and they are receiving treatment at the Habarana Hospital.
Habarana police is conducting further investigations regarding the incident.
