Archive
Episode 10 – Kumana National Park
Tales from the past I was first appointed to the post of Ranger in the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1981. First, I had to work at ‘Wilpatthu National Park’ and thereafter, on the 1st of February 1983, I assumed duties at ‘Kumana National Park’. At the time, it was known as ‘Yala Eastern National […]
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Episode 9 – Udawalawa National Park
An Unexpected Meeting In my lengthy career in the Wildlife service spanning more than two decades, I have served across many divisions throughout the country,spanningregions in Thanamalwila, Handapanagala, Nuwara-Eliya, Adam’s Peak, etc. I started as a Wildlife Guard in 1996, and later was promoted to the rank of Ranger.In 2016, I received a...
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Episode 8 – Bundala National Park
Death at Bundala National Park The incident I am about to tell you happened in 2004, just two years after my recruitment and second placement as Game Guard at Bundala National Park. To get familiar withBundala National Park,one must know that it is situated adjoining the Wilma Sanctuaryand is smaller than its peers across the […]
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Episode 7 – Maduru Oya National Park
The ‘Dead’ Elephant I was first appointed as a 2nd grade Ranger of the “Maduru Oya National Park” in 1998. At the time, the Warden of the Park was Mr. Ranjith Jayasinghe. He was a well experienced person and had undergone a training in South Africa. Excluding me, there were around five more rangers in […]
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Episode 6 – Wasgamuwa National Park
Face to face with poachers This incident occurred on the 17th January 2017. At the time, I was the Warden of the Wasgamuwa National Park, with three years of service in the Wildlife Department under the belt. During my time in the Wildlife Department, we received a plethora of information on illegal activities, including but […]
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Episode 5 – Minneriya National Park
An experience of life and death One day when I was at the Wilgamuwa office I received a message saying that an injured elephant was in the Minneriya area. I went to treat it with two assistants Gamunu and Jeewaka. The jungle around the Minneriya tank was an elephant habitat. The Minneriya tank dam was […]
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Episode 4 – Yala National Park
TERROR AT THE PARK This incident I am about to tell you occurredon the 15th of October 2007. I waseleven years into my career, having started out in 1996 as a Wildlife Guide, and now a Second-GradeRanger stationed atthe ‘Palatupana’ center atYala National Park. Every year, it is conventional practice to close Yala National Park […]
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Episode 3 – Kaudulla National Park
A Close Call This incident occurred on a Poya day in the month of September 2004, at the ‘KithulUthuwa’ area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kaudalla National Park. At the time, my rank was that of ‘Wildlife Ranger Class 1’ of Polonnaruwaunder Kaudalla National Park. After midnight, around 12:45 am, I received word […]
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Episode 2 – Kahalle Pallekele Sanctuary
Chased by a marsh crocodile This incident occurred at the start of my career. The Wilpattu National Park was divided into eight divisions. I had started as a Third Grade Ranger in one of those divisions, called ‘Pomparippuwa’. In those days we were not assigned vehicles for field work by the Sri Lankan government. We […]
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Episode 1 – Wilpattu National Park
My encounter with an elephant As I recall, this incident occurred in February 1984. Our mission was to capture an elephant in theGalgamuwa, Ras Vehera region, then transport it to a different location after loading it into a truck. I was a recruit with nearly two years of experience. Prior to this mission, my work […]
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