Sri Lanka Fast-Tracks Digital Tickets for National Parks

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has moved to accelerate the introduction of digital ticketing for entry to national parks amid a steady rise in tourist arrivals, in a bid to improve visitor management and strengthen wildlife conservation efforts.

The initiative is being implemented on the instructions of Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody.

The Deputy Minister has also directed authorities to launch a sustainable wildlife conservation and tourism management programme for national parks.

The move comes as popular parks such as Minneriya and Kaudulla continue to attract large numbers of tourists, with between 400 and 600 safari jeeps entering the parks daily. Authorities have expressed concern over the impact such heavy traffic could have on wildlife habitats and the surrounding environment.

Attention has also been focused on conducting a scientific study through a team of experts to assess the situation.

In addition, Deputy Minister Jayakody has held discussions with wildlife park authorities on establishing a new entrance near the Sigiriya-Pekkulam area to better regulate jeep traffic within Minneriya National Park.

Authorities are also considering measures to ease congestion by directing vehicles entering Minneriya National Park after 2.00 p.m. through the Batu Oya exit route.

Plans are further underway to introduce a unified ticket issuing system for both Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, allowing visitors to obtain access permits from a single location. 

A new digital ticketing platform is also expected to be introduced for the Hurulu Eco Park, enabling smoother and more convenient access through a system operating closer to urban centres.