PARLIAMENT

Hon. Athula Welandagoda,— To ask the Minister of Environment,— (1)

(a) Will he inform this House —

(i) whether he is aware of the problems relating to the shortage of employees, housing facilities of employees, and facilities such as tourist bungalows, toilet facilities, roads network, and common amenities in the Yala National Park;

(ii) of the number of registered tourist jeeps that are allowed to enter the Park;

(iii) of the number of jeeps registered but not currently providing services to tourists;

(iv) of the action that will be taken regarding those jeeps;

(v) ​​whether steps will be taken to register new jeeps to replace the jeeps concerned; and

(vi) separately, of the short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures that will be taken to protect and develop the wildlife and the ecosystem in the Yala National Park, which has secured significant tourist attraction and attention and generates a substantial daily income for Sri Lanka?

(b) If not, why?