Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C. B. Ratnayake denied the statement made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on the attempt to take away 12,000 acres from the Yala National Park.
While commenting on that, the Minister told the Daily Mirror that no such plan was implemented by the government.
"As a responsible Minister, I will not let such activity taking place in the Yala National Park. A proposal should have been presented, before such plan is put in place. So far, no such proposal has been made," the Minister said.
Rumours are spreading on this issue, but as the minister, I completely deny the statement made by the Opposition leader and never let anyone to interfere in the Yala forest reserve," Minister Ratnayake added.
In a tweet yesterday, the opposition leader claimed that, according to information from reliable sources, it is confirmed that illegal roadways are proposed to be built through the National Park up to Akasa Chaitya. (Daily Mirror)