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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Tamara Davison

20 years since the Boxing Day tsunami: How Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park has recovered – and thrived

Sri Lanka Sun Yala Asia Indian Ocean Intrepid Ocean
Yala National Park was one of the worst hit areas in Sri Lanka by the Boxing Day tsunami - (Jack Lawes)

It was like any other day for Sri Lankan safari guide Priyantha (Pusa) Hettiarachige as he prepared to welcome guests to Yala National Park on 26 December 2004. The famed natural site was brimming with people eager to spot leopards, elephants and crocodiles in the warm Asian sun just after the Christmas holidays.

That morning a fateful decision to cut the tour short for a sick guest may have saved Pusa’s life.

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