Jan 04, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government, giving priority to protect natural forests, wetlands and wildlife and to minimize the destruction of animal shelters risked by various illegal activities, has declared six forest areas in the island as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The cabinet of ministers at its meeting held Tuesday has approved the proposal tabled by the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Gamini Jayawickrama Perera to declare the national parks.
Accordingly, the following measures were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers:
- Declare the forest area belongs to Kala Wewa and Balalu Wewa in Kahalla - Pallekele Sanctuary in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala Districts as 'Kala Wewa National Park' and declare its rest forest area in Kurunegala District as 'Kahalla - Pallekele National Park'.
- Declare 'Kayankarni Marine Natural Reservation' covering the marine area in Pasikuda in Trincomalee District.
- Declare the forest area around the Kotuattawala Wewa in Nikaweratiya Divisional Secretary's Division in Kurunegala District as the 'Kotuattawala Sanctuary'.
- Declare Akurala wetland in Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretary's Division in Galle District as 'Akurala Wildlife Sanctuary'.
- Declare Kodigahakanda forest in Horana Divisional Secretary's Division in Kaluthara District as 'Kodigahakanda Wildlife Sanctuary'.
- Declare the marine area including the coral reefs which the Kuda Ravana and Maha Ravana lighthouses are located as 'Kuda Ravana Maha Ravana Marine Sanctuary'.
- Amendment of borders of Madu Ganga Sanctuary in Balapitiya Divisional Secretary's Division in Galle District.
