Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2023-02-20

Declaring the area around the Narangala Mountain Range as a Wildlife Sanctuary

- The Narangala Mountain Range is located in an area with a height of 1450 meters above sea level which belongs to the Dikpitiya Grama Niladhari Division of Soranathota Divisional Secretariat division, bordering Kandaketiya Divisional Secretariat Division of the Badulla District. The said mountain range is a very important water catchment area and it consists of more than 100 springs. Gama Oya, Moragolla Oya and Ambaganga Oya are nourished by the springs in the Narangalla Mountain Range, in particular. The water requirements of majority of villages located below the said mountain range are fulfilled through said rivers. Further, this mountain range is an area of rich in biodiversity. Taking the above facts into account, the proposal made by the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation to declare the area of 239.276 hectares where the mountain range is located as Narangala Sanctuary and to acquire the lands belonging to the private and Janata Estate Development Board in that area to the government and thereafter declare the entire area as a National Wildlife Reserve.