Archive
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
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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