Temporary ban on Yala safari operators

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Many safari jeep private operators are temporarily banned from entering the Yala National Park, as directed by the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation Sumith Pilapitiya.

According to a spokesperson of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), the ban was imposed as these operators were caught red-handed for violating rules and regulations in the park during the safari tours with visitors.

"According to the DWC regulations, the ban is only for a few months and when these jeep operators resume tours, they will be closely monitored," said Warden of the Yala National Park Suranga Ratnayake.

Following the recent opening of the three new blocks (3, 4 and 5) to the public, the authorities may encounter more problems. According to Ratnayake vehicles will not be allowed to roam freely in the newly-opened blocks. "The animals will need more time to adapt to vehicle movement. It affects their daily routine," he said.

The new areas will be limited to controlled visits. After a few months, we plan to divert vehicles - safari jeeps and other private vehicles - equally to all blocks in the park.