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12,000 acres in Yala under threat

15 Jul 2021

  • Sajith alleges construction activities in Block 1 of Park Wildlife/Forest Ministry denies claims Admits to ongoing infrastructure development for int’l tourism
By Pamodi Waravita Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (14) alleged that 12,000 acres of the Yala National Park are under threat due to certain construction activities taking place within its borders. “There is reliable information that the Government is planning to take away 12,000 acres from Block One of the Yala National Park for unknown purposes. Reliable sources have also confirmed that illegal roadways are to be constructed through the National Park, up to the Akasa Chaithya,” Premadasa tweeted yesterday. Premadasa further said that the SJB would, using all necessary democratic and legal means, strive to ensure that this “anti-environmental action” would not take place. Official sources at the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry denied the existence of any plans to obtain 12,000 acres from the said National Park. However, when questioned about road construction through the Park to the Akasa Chaithya, which is also within the Park, they said that infrastructure development does take place so as to facilitate international tourism. Sources also told The Morning that officials from the Archaeology Department had visited the Akasa Chaithya recently, although details of any proposed development work could not be clarified. Attempts to contact Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara and Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C.B. Ratnayake proved futile. The Akasa Chaithya, which was built in the 2nd Century BC, is located within the Yala National Park, along with a number of other ancient sites such as Sithulpawwa and the Magul Maha Viharaya. Designated as a National Park in 1938, Yala spans 130,000 hectares, and is home to 44 species of mammals and a large concentration of leopards.

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