SRI LANKA REOPENS TWO WILDLIFE PARKS

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Sri Lankan wildlife authorities reopened two famous wildlife parks in the Southeast region of Sri Lanka that have been closed for four years due to the threat of terrorism. The two sanctuary sites, Kumana National Park and Lahugala National Park, a wildlife nature reserve are now open to the public.
 
Kumana National Park, a renowned bird sanctuary contiguous with the Yala National Park is located 391 km southeast of the capital Colombo. Lahugala National Park, a habitat for wild elephants is located at Heda Oya, in the Eastern Province, 318 km east of Colombo. The two sanctuaries have been closed since 2005 due to the presence of the LTTE terrorists in those areas. The Wildlife Department has decided to open the parks after they received security clearance after the end of the war.
 
The Sri Lankan government eliminated the LTTE rebel organization in May 2009. Since the end of the war the government has taken measures to promote tourism in the country. The two parks are a main eco-tourism attraction.
 
“Sri Lanka is famed for its jungles containing rare orchids, delicious fruits and bountiful shrubs and trees. This is a land where travelers can come face to face with a wild elephant, admire the savage grace of a leopard from afar, or marvel at a sea turtle flicking sand protectively over the eggs just laid on the beach,” said Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, Middle East Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
 
“Nature has blessed Sri Lanka with one of the richest biodiversities of any country in the world, thanks to its dramatically different terrains that range from coastal mangroves to dripping tropical rainforests, from arid dry zones to the spring like temperatures of its hill country. There are no less than 13 national parks in Sri Lanka and over 100 additional protected areas,” Ms. Al Mansoori remarked.
 
The elephant is Sri Lanka’s national icon animal and can be found in several national parks, especially where fresh young grass springs up around the edges of the man-made lakes. Other creatures that can be seen in the wild include the shy, solitary leopard - the Yala National Park is thought to have one of the highest densities of this graceful predator in the world.
 
There are also four species of deer and the fierce, but rarely encountered, sloth bear. Buffalo range across the grassland areas and visitors may also spot wild boar, giant squirrels and several species of monkey, including the appealing large eyed loris, which moves slowly around the tree-tops at night. Troops of macaques are a common sight, darting across the road in front of you, babies clinging to their mothers’ stomachs.
 
Apart from all the wildlife and nature, there are a host of other activities to occupy you in this tropical island paradise. Colombo offers all the attractions of a busy capital city, with star-rated hotels, shopping malls and a vast array of restaurants and clubs that cater for all tastes. The central highlands feature tea estates, where you can discover the origins of your morning cuppa and is also home to Mount Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest mountain.
 
If you enjoy a round of golf, the island has three stunning courses set in beautiful surroundings. You will also never be far from the azure waters and bronze sands of the coast and you may wish to spend a day or two at the resort at Unawatuna, acclaimed as being one of the world’s top 10 beaches. For the more adventurously inclined, there are the high adrenalin thrills of white water rafting, sailing, mountain biking and hot air balloon rides. You can also hike through the hill-country, or cycle through the ancient ruins of a country whose history and heritage stretches back thousands of years.
 

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