Feb 22, Colombo: Environmentalists and animal lovers in Sri Lanka have suggested to the Ministry of Wildlife to ban the use of mobile phones in national parks.

The environmentalists pointed out to the Minister of Wildlife Resources Conservation Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa at a discussion that the use of mobile phones by the visitors causes nuisance to the animals.

For instance, they pointed out that the visitors inform the fellow visitors over the phone when they see an elephant close to the road and sometimes as much as 50 vehicles gather in the vicinity soon. They said that this may cause the elephant to panic and rampage.

The Minister promised to consider the proposal.

Sri Lanka's national parks have become tourist hot spots following the end of war in 2009 but the irresponsible behavior of the visitors have caused problems to animals and the environment.