State Minister Dilum Amunugama, who had visited the new Butawa circuit bungalow within the Yala National Park has done so in violation of wildlife laws. According to sources Amunugama had spent four days at the bungalow four times more than the allowed number of visitors.
They had visited Yala last weekend saying that they were on official duty. The State Minister claimed he had acquired the necessary permission from the Department of Wildlife through the relevant subject Minister. According to the rules of the Department, only 10 people can occupy the circuit bungalow. However, Amunugama had brought along nearly 40 visitors to the National park according to inside sources.
Even for official duty, this bungalow is only provided to Wildlife department-related duties. Amunugama is not a related subject Minister.
When Lankasara connected the State Minister he claimed the new Butawa bungalow has no limit for visitors as is being claimed. He also denied that his group consisted of 40 persons. “Along with the drivers there may have only been around 25 – 30 people,” he said. He added that he also obtained permission from the subject Minister and informed the Ministry prior to the trip.
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