Opposition leader claims plans afoot to carve out 12,000 acres of Yala National Park
COLOMBO – Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa on Wednesday (14) claimed the government was planning to use 12,000 acres of the Yala National Park for an unknown purpose.
“There is reliable information that the government is planning to take away 12,000 acres From the Yala National Park, Block 1 for unknown purposes. Reliable sources have also confirmed that illegal roadways are to be constructed through the National Park up to Akasa Chaitya,” Premadasa claimed in a tweet.
He also added, “I myself and the [main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya] vehemently oppose this illegal act and we shall strive to use all democratic and legal means to oppose this anti-environmental effort of the government.”
Minister for wildlife C.B Ratnayake, could not be contacted for comment, however, a prominent environmentalist, who did not wish to be named said he had heard about the plan, but he is yet to verify it.
-economynext.com