Int’l recognition for Wilpattu

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

A development program to elevate the Anuradhapura Wilpattu national sanctuary to international level has been launched on the instructions of Wild Life Affairs Minister SM Chandrasena.

It is planned to create adequate infrastructure facilities including a road network to reach nearly 100 sites of archaeological, historical and cultural importance located in the Wilpatthu forest cover but not well-known. The development program includes the preservation of Kuwenis palace at Kalivilluwa and Thambapanni area called Kadiramale where prince Vijaya is supposed to have disembarked.

“There are about 40 shallow lakes (Villus) in addition to 50 small scale tanks in the Wilpattu sanctuary which are at the verge of ruination. Army personnel have renovated 10 such tanks since the re-opening of the sanctuary in February 2010 and 10 more dilapidated tanks are to be undertaken for rehabilitation. These places surrounded by scenic beauty could be converted to major tourist attractions.

Also on the instructions of Minister four dilapidated tourist bungalows situated at Kalivillu, Manikbapola, Marandanmaduwa and Makalanmaduwa will be refurbished for local and foreign tourists.

There has been a big demand for the four tourist bungalows recently opened park warden Weerasinghe Dissanayake said.

Since the opening of the Wilpattu sanctuary last March nearly 30,000 local and foreign travellers have visited Wilpatthu and the income from entrance tickets and renting the bungalows has reached around Rs seven million.

The inflow of tourists which was on a decrease during last January and February due heavy rains and floods has now started to pick up according, to the park warden.