Politics Behind Untimely Opening of Yala Block-1

On the advice of a special committee appointed by the Prime Minister’s Office a decision was taken to close the park on September 1 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and it was decided to reopen it on 31 st October 2017.

But Block-I of the Yala National Park was declared open nine days prior to the scheduled date on October 23 due to political pressure from a powerful minister, said Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, former Director General, Wildlife Conservation Department (WLCD).

On a different note, Dr. Pilapitiya said tourist arrivals had gradually increased over the years, and from 2008 to 2016, there had been a 1,000 per cent increase in tourist arrivals. He blamed that the DWC had been politicised during the last 15 years. We strongly protest this politically- motivated decision. It is detrimental to the future authority of DWC, compromises its conservation function and is injurious to the well-being of this country and its people. This is not good governance,” he added.