Tourists visiting national parks allowed to pay in dollars

The foreign tourists who were visiting national parks including the Yala National Park would be able to pay in dollars to purchase their entrance tickets from January this year, the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry said.

Ministry Secretary Chandra Herath said steps would be taken to initiate this move from the Yala National Park within this month.

Subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had instructed the officials to initiate this move as means to earn much needed dollars to the country.

The Minister has also instructed the officials to develop the facilities at the Yala National Park as a larger number of tourists are visiting Yala these days. (Ajith Siriwardana)