The Galge Entrance, a newly built entrance to the Yala National Park was declared open under the program launched to dawn a golden era in the tourism industry, immediately after the ease of the Covid pandemic.

The new Galge entrance  in the Yala National Park that was constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.5 million was declared open by the Hon. Minister of Tourism,Prasanna Ranatunga today (30).

Several other entrances are to be constructed under this program of developing tourist attractions.  This will provide all the facilities required by local and foreign tourists and will enable them to visit the previously inaccessible areas of the Yala National Park.Around 6,000 new tourist attractions have already been identified under the program implemented in line with H.E.President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's Vistas of Prosperity, the National Policy Statement.

Hon.Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga said the revenue generated from tourism should be shared among all.  Also, steps are being taken to issue tickets using modern technology.  At present, we have to issue a limited number of tickets.  With this initiative, it will be possible to reduce congestion at the Yala National Park.  At the same time, the revenue generated from this tourism industry should be distributed in a manner that is beneficial to the people of the country.  This is the first phase of a larger plan. We have taken steps to work closely with the Department of Forest Conservation, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Central Cultural Fund to promote tourism in the country".

"Yala is a major tourist destination.  The number of tourists arriving daily is much larger than the main entrance can afford.  Therefore, we wanted to reduce congestion and open new zones to tourists in the Yala National Park.  This region also includes Zone No.5 and 6 which belong to the Lunugamvehera area.  This is a region with a large number of animal attractions and tourist attractions.  In the future, we hope to launch a new mobile app for tourists that will enable tourists to choose the destinations they visit from their own country.

The global tourism industry has collapsed since last year due to the Covid pandemic.  But today, many countries in the world are making various arrangements to re-open countries to tourists. If we are late, those countries will go ahead of usA said the Minister of Tourism.

Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. S. Hettiarachchi and several others were present at this occasion.