By Pamodi WaravitaOpposition 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. 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. Attempts to contact Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara and Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C.B. 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.

Source: The Nation July 14, 2021 18:56 UTC