New access road to Horton plains to be declared open

A new access road through Diyagama to the Horton Plains is to be opened tomorrow by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Park Warden Sisira Ratnayake told the media yesterday that the new road would be declared open by Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Director General Chandana Suriyabandara.

He said the road would be a natural pathway for tourists to walk or ride bicycles. Park Warden said entry of other vehicles into the access road would not be allowed under any circumstances.

A senior official of the Forest Conservation Department said the new access road would eliminate the dangers faced by tourists in the Diyagama area and enhance the protection of Horton Plains National Park as well. He said tourists would now have three access roads to the national park. (Shantha Chandrasiri)