Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation R.M.C.M. Herath said Foreigners entering the National Zoological Gardens will be able to purchase their entrance tickets using foreign currency once the relevant system is implemented within the next two months.
She said the Ministry also expects to introduce an e-ticketing system for the visitors to purchase their tickets online prior to reaching the relevant zoological garden.
The Secretary said this during a meeting with the heads and representatives of the state media institutions held on Wednesday.
She said the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the National Zoological Gardens expect to implement several other programs to increase their annual income next year.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation expects to increase its annual income to Rs.3, 000 million from this year’s Rs.1, 500 million by opening new circuit bungalows, introducing new camping sites and opening national parks and sanctuaries such as Ussangoda, Somawathiya, Bellanwila and Aththidiya for tourists.
The National Zoological Gardens Department expects to increase the income to Rs.1, 500 million from this year’s Rs.450 million by introducing new income-generation activities and increasing the number of animal species available in the Pinnawala Zoological Garden thus attracting more tourists.
In addition, the Wildlife Conservation Department will also implement several other programs to increase its annual tourist services revenue to Rs.350 million from Rs.66 million next year, she pointed out.