Yala breaks records

Rs 700,000 income on Christmas Day:

Irangika Range

The Yala National Park has earned a record breaking income of over Rs. 700,000 on December 25.

A spokesperson of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry said the Yala National Park has drawn attention of a large number of local and foreign tourists in the aftermath of the war.

She said there is an influx of daily visitors to the park which is rich in natural beauty adorned with flora and fauna and wildlife attractions with endemic species of mammals and birds.

She said over 300 safari jeeps with local and foreign tourists entered the park on December 25.

The Yala National Park has earned nearly Rs.9 million in December.

According to the spokesperson, the income earned by the Yala Park has increased this year compared with that earned in 2008. The total earnings from Yala this year has increased to Rs. 75 million.

The park, which was opened to public after closure due to LTTE threats, has been renovated with a new road network.

Meanwhile, the bungalows in the national park are being renovated while several new bungalows have already been opened to the public.

An information centre is being constructed in the park to provide information to the visitors.