Sri Lanka closes national park core amid severe drought conditions

Sri Lanka's wildlife authorities have implemented a temporary closure of the central zone of a key national park, barring visitors from its most popular areas as the country grapples with severe drought conditions. The restriction comes amid concerns over depleted water resources and their impact on the park's delicate ecosystem and animal populations.

The closure, set to last approximately one month, represents a significant intervention during what would normally be the build-up to peak tourism season. Park officials cited the need to preserve remaining water sources and reduce pressure on wildlife habitats as key reasons for the decision.

The measure reflects growing concerns about the impact of El Niño weather patterns on South Asia's water availability. Sri Lanka has experienced increasingly severe dry conditions, with implications extending beyond tourism to agriculture and general water security across the island nation.

The closure is expected to have economic implications for tourism operators and local communities dependent on visitor spending, though park authorities maintained the move is essential to safeguard the reserve's long-term ecological viability. Officials indicated the restriction would be reassessed based on rainfall patterns and drought severity over the coming weeks.