With the end of the decades-long conflict, the military has guaranteed the security of the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary; a government minister said after he visited the park yesterday.
"The military says there is no need to fear any terrorist threats to the Yala and Kumana national parks anymore," Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka told Daily Mirror.
He said that although security was guaranteed, the army would continue to maintain their presence and vigilance.
"Army presence helped us to wipe out terrorism and helped us to develop the park by destroying invasive plants that posed a threat to the natural habitat of animals," Mr. Ranawaka said adding that after the LTTE attacked Thalgasmankada between Block 1 and Block 2 in October last year the authorities were forced to close the park to visitors.
But he said the times had changed and the parks cleared of terrorist activity and added that Block 1 was re-opened with plans underway to open Block 2 for animal lovers who wish to carry out research and camp inside, while Block 5 too will be opened soon for visitors.
The minister quoted the military as having said the army was providing security to the pilgrims coming from the eastern province through the jungle via Kumana and Yala to Kataragama to attend the annual festival.
He said the park recorded an income of Rs.27 million during the first six months of this year and was double the amount earned during the same period last year.
"Some 28,000 visitors had visited the park during the first six months of this year while last year, it was just 16,000,” Mr. Ranawaka said.
He said local and foreign visitors can come to the Yala Park without any fear.
Meanwhile, the minister said the military had given permission to re-open the Kumana bird sanctuary, located north of Yala.The minister participated in the opening of an information Centre, donated by parents of wildlife lover the late Dr. Ravi Samarasinghe and also opened a new visitor's bungalow at Lunugamvehera. (Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
