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Environmentalists warn of irreversible damage as hoteliers, politicians, and the Road Development Authority push to redevelop an abandoned road cutting through Sri Lanka’s fragile Knuckles World Heritage ecosystem.
Environmentalist Janaka Withanage has raised alarm over government plans to redevelop an abandoned road running from Thangappuwa to Attalamettuwa, cutting through the highly sensitive Knuckles World Heritage Reserve. He questioned whether proper approval had been obtained from the Forest Conservation Department for the project, which poses serious risks to the fragile ecosystem.
Reports indicate that Road Development Authority officials have already conducted surveys at the site, suggesting early stages of development are underway. Withanage accused several hoteliers of lobbying for the road to be built for their own narrow commercial purposes, a practice he said dates back to previous governments.
He highlighted that after the Knuckles range was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forest Conservation Department allowed eco-tourism activities such as guided walking trails, but not heavy infrastructure projects. Despite this, the current government is allegedly using tourism as a pretext to push road development, influenced by hotel owners and political allies.
A meeting led by a Member of Parliament is scheduled this week, where government officials and stakeholders are expected to push for approval. Withanage strongly opposed the move, stressing that tourism can be promoted sustainably without cutting a road through one of Sri Lanka’s most ecologically sensitive zones. He insisted that carving a carpet road through the Knuckles Reserve to satisfy private interests is unacceptable and would cause irreversible environmental destruction.
