The Wildlife Conservation Department has been issuing tickets since yesterday (04) to the tourists who visit Sri Pada via Hatton and Ratnapura routes during the off-season, Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera said

Making a special statement today, the Thera said that no money was charged from any pilgrim visiting Sri Pada ever.

“Currently, the Wildlife Conservation Department is charging tourists. It is unfair to charge money and issue tickets in the off-season. A group of Bhutanese tourists had been charged USD 5 each by the wildlife office near the Makara Thorana (entrance) on Nallathanniya Sri Pada Main Road this morning (05),” the Thera said.

The Thera said that he took measures to develop the necessary infrastructure for the pilgrims, including the steps on Sri Pada Ratnapura and Hatton Road.

“The Wildlife Conservation Department did not provide any support to any tourist but now they are issuing tickets to tourists who visit Sri Pada during the off-season.”

In response to an inquiry we made, an officer of the Nallathanniya Wildlife Conservation Office said that the Department issued a gazette in 2022 to issue tickets to tourists visiting Sri Pada during the off-season.

Accordingly, they have received instructions from the senior officials of the Wildlife Department to charge USD 5 from foreign tourists, USD 04 from tourists coming from SAARC countries and Rs.40 from local tourists since yesterday.

The Nallathanniya Hotel Owners Association has also raised objections to the issuance of tickets by the Wildlife Conservation Department to tourists visiting Sri Pada during the off-season.

(Ada)