Plans for 10 national parks to be expedited

Asela Kuruluwansa

The proposed plan to set up 10 national parks in the country will be expedited, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said. He said this will be done with the aim to develop the tourist industry. The Minister was making an inspection tour of the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

There are only three National Parks in the country - Peradeniya, Gampaha and Hakgala. The Minister spent nearly three hours covering the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens making a detailed assessment of its condition. The Minister made inquires about the contribution made to tourism by the Department of National Parks.

Minister Rajapaksa also stressed on the need for a program to amalgamate both zoological and Botanical Gardens to realise the optimum benefits for the economy. He said the country could earn valuable foreign exchange through the export of ornamental flowers and plants adding that he would set up a special Task Force to develop on this area since his aim is to conduct his Ministry without becoming a burden to the treasury. National Parks Director General Dr. Cyril Wijesundera was also present.