Mobile Phone Service Restrictions in Yala National Park – Maintaining The Peace

In an effort to reduce congestion and preserve the peaceful environs within the Yala National Park, a proposed policy whereby mobile phone use will be restricted, has been put into place on a trial basis. The park is particularly popular for offering safaris where visitors can spot the Sri Lankan Leopard. Many visitors opt to stay at an eco lodge Sri Lanka has to offer in the region such as Saraii Village and make their way to the park as early as possible.

On certain seven day periods from 20th July to 13th September, 2015 mobile phone service will be temporarily halted in the area covering the park during what is considered peak times; 6 a.m to 9 a.m in the mornings and then again from 3 p.m to 6 p.m in the evenings. One of the main reasons for doing so is to put a halt to the practice of mobile phones being used to alert vehicles of leopard sightings; this in turn causes congestions as vehicles speed to such sites which disturbs the peace and can also lead to putting animal lives in danger due to excessive speeds and careless driving.