To the President report on Wilpattu Submitted

Report on Wilpattu has been handed over to the President Maithripala Sirisena. A report prepared by the Forest Department on the controversial resettlement within the Wilpattu Sanctuary boundaries was presented to the President Maithripala Sirisena recently.

The Deputy Conservator of Forests Anura Satharasinghe told the local media that the old maps had been used to study the original ownership of the land. The President instructed officers of the Forest Department to look into all activities taken place in the forests, including the Wilpattu. Anura Satharasinghe also alleged that certain nationalistic and political groups were attempting to control and panic the public over Wilpattu issue. But, however, the President had instructed the divisional secretaries and district secretaries through a letter to investigate and take measures regarding the deforestation.