According to the wildlife department, the Yala National Park will be closed for visitors in September. The spokesperson said bookings of bungalows would not be allowed for local or foreign visitors from September 1 to 30 and during this period maintenance work of bungalows and the park would be carried out.

Spokesperson also said as Yala is always crowded with visitors, closing the park for a short period during the drought season of every year is a usual practice to allow wild animals to rest.

The Yala National Park that consists of five blocks is the most visited and the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It spreads over an area of 1,260 square kilometer