‘Wildlife officials’ issues will be addressed’

Ridma Dissanayake

“The Agrarian Services and Wildlife Ministry will provide solutions for salary anomalies and other issues of wildlife officials, said Minister S M Chandrasena.

“The officials who are implementing laws and regulations to the letter against illegal poaching and logging will be protected, he said.

The minister was addressing the annual meeting of the All Island Wildlife Officers’ Association at the Central Environmental Authority yesterday.

“Wildlife officers have to play a major role in society and they fulfill a national responsibility. They work throughout the day with difficulties. The government will fulfill their needs,” the Minister said.

The Ministry will establish three centres for wild elephants under the guidance of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. They will help reduce human-elephant conflict.

Construction of the centres will start at the beginning of the next year. The Centres will help develop tourism as well.

The minister said that disciplinary action will be taken against inefficient officers.