A controversy has arisen over the illegal clearance of a plantation managed by the Forest Conservation Department in the Lunugamwehera range, near Yala National Park.
The cleared plantation, consisting of drought-resistant Kohomba trees, has drawn significant attention on social media due to its proximity to Yala, a popular wildlife tourism destination.
However, a senior official from the Department of Wildlife Conservation clarified that the plantation is located 3.5 kilometers outside the park and is not within its buffer zone, making it unrelated to their jurisdiction.
In contrast, a Forest Conservation Department official confirmed that legal action has been initiated regarding the incident but declined to provide further details.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has announced plans to expand its forest cover to 32 percent as part of its environmental goals.
