Nuwara Eliya-District’s- Entry to Wildlife & Forest Conservation Reserves, Climbing-Mountains, Camping—PROHIBITED.

Following an incident where a body of an unidentified foreign women was discovered at top of the Great Western Mountains in Talawakele. And circumstances surrounding her death remains unresolved (pending investigation),

Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Nandana Galabada said They have taken the decision to – effective from (04th of August 2023) “Prohibit anyone from entering into Nuwara-Eliya’s Wildlife and Forest Conservation Restricted Zone for scenic-viewing purposes or for the purposes of climbing mountains and Staging camping sites” without proper authorization being granted to them.

Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Nandana Galabada stated “anyone wants to visit or climb any mountain in the Nuwara Eliya district, they need to obtain approval from the government agencies within whose purview the particular mountain areas come under. People must submit approval to the nearest police station and obtain permission from them to visit the relevant places”. 

As a safeguard against travelers who have received the permission to enter and venture out, must after their journey either have to report back to the relevant Police Station as in-person or must call back to the Police and inform them, “that they have made it back safe and sound”. This is a must. And all travelers must comply with these new regulations.

Strict Legal action will be taken against individuals and groups who venture out into forest conservation areas viewing, mountain climbing or camping, without valid authorization being provided to them that can be verified by relevant authorities of both Sri Lankan wildlife conservation department & forest department.