Due to the rapid rise in the water level of the Kala Oya, the Wanathavilluwa Eluwankulama entrance to the Wilpattu National Park was temporarily closed, Park Controller Suranga Ratnayake said.
He further said that even though the Eluwankulama entrance is closed, tourists can visit the park through Nochchiyagama Hunuwilgama where the Wilpattu head office is located.
With the opening of the sluice gates of the Rajangana reservoir and the release of the huge flood of water into the Kala Oya, the water level of the Kala Oya has risen rapidly and has flowed towards the Wilpattu entrance of the Eluwankulama crossway.
Due to this, officers in charge of the Eluwankulama entrance took steps to turn back the tourists who came to visit the Wilpattu National Park.
Along with this rising water level, it is also dangerous to cross the Kala Oya and walk on the suspension bridge to enter the Wilpattu National Park and Wildlife officials said that water is flowing nearly three feet from the suspension bridge which is more than 20 feet above the Kala Oya.
However, safari jeeps for tourists can be parked on the high ground of the forest reserve.
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