Blocks 1 and 2 of the Yala National Park have been temporarily closed from today (14) due to the prevailing dry weather conditions, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation said.

Accordingly, the closure will remain in effect for one month, until October 15, 2026.

Yala National Park is home to 44 species of mammals, 215 species of birds, 47 species of reptiles and 21 species of fish.

The park generally attracts the highest number of tourists from August to March. However, the current tourist season has been severely affected by the El Niño conditions.

Several water sources within the Yala National Park have dried up due to the prevailing high temperatures, creating a severe shortage of drinking water for the animals living in the park.

Meanwhile, the prolonged dry weather has caused vegetation and grasslands to dry up, resulting in a shortage of food for wildlife.

Wildlife officers are making strenuous efforts to provide water to animals affected by the drought.

As part of these efforts, water obtained using solar-powered pumps from four locations along the Menik Ganga is being transferred through underground pipelines to ponds within the national park.

In addition, wildlife officers transport around 200,000 liters of water daily by water bowsers to fill both artificial and natural ponds in the park.

Accordingly, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation has decided to close Blocks 1 and 2 of the Yala National Park to tourists for one month to minimize disturbances to animals as they search for food and water amid the prevailing dry weather conditions.