Minister asserts there are no settlers in Wilpattu

Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka asserted that there were no settlers at Wilpattu National Park in the Northern Province.

During a media conference held at the Ministry of Power and Energy, Minister Ranawaka said however, that people with permission were allowed to settle outside Wilpattu.

“According to the information available to me, there are no settlers within Wilpattu. Settlers in the surrounding jungle have been permitted to be there and are not illegal,” he said.

“With the permission of the Wildlife Director, people can settle within national parks. According to the information available to me, these settlements are permitted constructions within such a national park outside Wilpattu jungle reserves,” Minister Ranawaka said.