Wildlife officials in Polonnaruwa have arrested 15 people, including Sidney Jayaratne, a former UNP parliamentarian who went hunting in the Somawathiya National Park in Polonnaruwa.
Wildlife officials also seized 08 motorcycles belonging to the group.
The suspects were arrested in the Galranda area of the park last evening. The suspects have been identified as residents of Medirigiriya. When questioned, they said they had come to the park to fish.
Investigations have revealed that they had entered the park on the 17th. The group spent the night in the park.
The suspects were produced before the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court and released on bail.