Sajith raises alarm about Yala land grab

Environmentalists vow to thwart it

By Ifham Nizam

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday tweeted that the government was going all out to grab some 12,000 acres from the Yala National Park – Block One — for unknown purposes.

Environmental organisations countrywide yesterday said that they would strongly oppose any move to grab land belonging to country’s premier national park.

Premadasa claimed that according to information from reliable sources, roads were to be constructed through the National Park up to Akasa Chaitya.

The Opposition Leader said he and the SJB were opposed to such an illegal move by the government and the Opposition would do everything in its power to thwart the government bid in question.

The Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), an organisation that fights for justice of man and animals, yesterday confirmed that the Opposition Leader’s statement was correct.

CEJ Executive Director Hemantha Withanage told The Island that there should be no road construction and renovation of historical places within the vicinity of the Yala National Park as it would cause grave harm to the rich biodiversity.

Withanage said that such a move was also against the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. He alleged that road construction would take place between Sithulpauwa and Alligala.

The Island

learns that a local government politician is behind the move.