An exchange of gunfire has taken place between suspected hunters and wildlife officers during a special wildlife operation in Yala National Park. 

Lunugamvehera Police stated that one person sustained injuries and was hospitalised. 

The operation was carried out yesterday (11) in Yala National Park by wildlife officers attached to the Yala National Park Headquarters in Thanamalwila.

Police said the hunters opened fire when wildlife officers attempted to arrest three individuals allegedly hunting animals inside the park, while the officers also reportedly fired back in self-defence.

Two suspects fled the scene, while wildlife officers arrested a 44-year-old resident of the Ellagala Left Bank area in Tissamaharama at the scene.

The officers also seized two locally manufactured firearms and 41 kilograms of venison believed to have been obtained from two deer.

The arrested suspect was produced before the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court and remanded until August 21.

Meanwhile, during the investigation into the fugitive suspects, Lunugamvehera Police were informed by hospital authorities that an injured individual had been admitted to Debarawewa Base Hospital.

The individual, currently undergoing treatment, alleged that wildlife officers opened fire after lying in ambush within the national park in the upper catchment area of the Lunugamvehera Reservoir.

He sustained gunshot injuries to his right back and the area below his right shoulder, but his condition was reportedly not serious.

The person has been identified as a 44-year-old cattle herder from the Tissamaharama area.

Lunugamvehera Police are conducting further investigations into the incident and have jointly launched an extensive operation with wildlife officers to arrest the remaining suspect who fled the scene.