Archive
Episode 20 – Madu Road National Park
Confronting death I joined the Department of Wildlife Conservation on 1st October 2004. I had to serve in North West and Anuradhapura North areas. This is a large area; it covers fairly about half of Sri Lanka’s wilderness and it is very difficult as well. At that time, most of the areas on this side […]
Ishara
Episode 19 – Wildlife Reserves in Batticaloa District
A story about brotherhood It was the year 2014 and those days I was working in Batticaloa District. There are several Reserves located in Batticaloa District and they all belong to the Department of Forest Conservation. There were no Reserves belonging to the Wildlife Department in this area. But the problem of wild elephants is […]
Ishara
Episode 18 – Chundikulam National Park
The end of the leopard In 2019, I worked as the Assistant Director in charge of Kilinochchi area. Kilinochchi area has 2 National Parks. Those areChundikulam and Delft National Parks. There are small lakes in Chundikulam area. Migrant birds are first to set foot in the ChundiKulam area. Thousands of migratory birds are in the […]
Ishara
Episode 17 – Delft National Park
Lonely horses on Delft Island Delft is a small Island where there are about 4,000 to 5,000 people live. It is also Divisional Secretariat area called Delft itself. There are horses on Delft Island which were brought in to haul goods during Dutch era. Now they have adapted to native conditions in the Delft. It […]
Ishara
EPISODE 16 – Elephant Transit Home -Udawalawa
Among the happy memories I came to Udawalawe Elephant Sanctuary in 1999. Prior to that, I had the experience of working in the Elephant Transit Home from time to time for acting the service of Dr. Vijitha, the former Veterinary Surgeon in charge when he was on leave. There is a scientific opinion that wild […]
Dimuthu
EPISODE 15 – Horton Plain National Park
Foreseeing the Risk I worked at Horton Plains National Park from 2004-2005 and until the end of 2009-2002. Horton Plains is the largest tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. A large number of local and foreign tourists visit this park every year. From 2009-2012, I worked as a gardener there. We had a staff of about […]
Ishara
EPISODE 14 – Lunugamvehera National Park
The Narrow Escape I joined the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1999. After working in Horton Plains for a short period I was transferred to Lunugamvehera National Park on duty in the year 2002. At that time, I did not have much experience in official duties. Lunugamvehera is situated Adjacent to the Yala National Park […]
Ishara
EPISODE 13 – Ritigala Nature Reserve
Slipped down the slope I am W.M.K.S.Chandraratne. Now I am working as an Assistant Director at Polonnaruwa. The incident I am talking about happened at Ritigala strict nature reserve in 2006. Ritigala strict nature reserve is located in Anuradhapura Assistant Director’s zone which is in Kekirawa Divisional Secretariat. Ritigala strict nature...
Ishara
EPISODE 12 – Sand Dune Islands
Conserving Sri Lanka’s Marine Ecosystems I joined the Department of Wildlife Conversation in 1999 as a Ranger after getting through a grueling, competitive all-Island examination. After joining, I served in the Wasgamuwa, MaduruOya, Girithale, and Kaudulla national parks before earning an opportunity to serve as the Assistant Director...
Ishara
Episode 11 – Adams Peak Wilderness Reserve
The Black Leopard When I was first assigned to the ‘Nallathanni’ wildlife sanctuary as a Ranger, I found the mountainous setting and the cold climate a rather pleasant retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Tea plantations were situated along the border of the Nallathanni forest, with tea plucking being the major source […]
Ishara