Four circuit bungalows reopen in Wilpattu

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Four circuit bungalows in the Wilpattu National park were reopened yesterday by Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena. The Park was reopened to the public on August 15 and the Wildlife Department's circuit bungalows were under renovation for the past several months.

The bungalows in Kokmotai, Manawila, Panikkawila and Thalawila were opened yesterday. With the increased number of visitors to the park the Wildlife Department is taking measures to upgrade the infrastructure facilities for visitors. Reconstructions of roads built for visitors are nearing completion.

In order to make water abundant for the wild life the initial plans will be to renovate ten tanks under the present project. The Army Engineers Corps has already started on three tanks, Persibendi Wewa, Palulandagaha Wewa and Maha Wewa. The work is done with technical collaboration from the Irrigation Department.

Meanwhile the Wildlife Conservation Department opened Sri Lanka's first Natural Museum in Giritale. "Earlier the Training Centre in Giritale had a natural museum but was not open to the public and was used only by the trainees. The new natural museum is now open to the public," Officer-in-Charge of the Training Centre and Assistant Director, Gaminie Samarakoon said.

The museum consists of preserved carcasses of rare and endemic species. The museum is open to the public clearly during working hours.