Colombo, October 22 (Daily Mirror) - Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said that decisions have been made not to allocate government-assisted wildlife holiday bungalows at concessionary rates to close relatives of Ministers and Ministry officials. Some bungalows had previously offered concessionary rates following instructions from Ministers.

The Minister further stated that anyone in the country will now be able to spend their holidays at wildlife holiday bungalows managed by the Ministry at standard rates. However, a slight priority will be given to Ministry employees and officials when reserving bungalow facilities at this common rate.

There will be no special room reservations or extra facilities for ministers from now onwards, Minister Herath added.

Meanwhile, the government has approved funding to renovate and improve the facilities at wildlife bungalows with an allocation of Rs. 166.93 million.

These bungalows will be renovated while preserving their national value, which helps attract tourists.

Earlier, it was proposed to renovate nine holiday bungalows, but later, the approved fund allocation was designated for the renovation of bungalows in urgent need of repairs.

Accordingly, funds were granted to renovate holiday bungalows in Ampara, Ekgaloya and Riverston.