UNESCO officials are closely watching Sri Lanka amid allegations that a road project may cut through the Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest, with environmentalists warning of irreversible damage despite government denials.
The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO has acknowledged growing concerns over claims that a road is being planned through the Sinharaja World Heritage Reserve. Secretary General Professor Prabath Jayasinghe stated that the Commission is investigating the matter and must first verify whether the proposed development falls within Sinharaja’s officially gazetted boundaries.
Professor Jayasinghe added that his office had recently examined a similar case involving Sigiriya, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, where development fears were raised. After consulting with the Department of Archaeology and other agencies, it was confirmed that the Sigiriya project would not cause damage. He emphasized, however, that UNESCO approval is always required before such projects can proceed.
The controversy over Sinharaja intensified following reports of a proposed road connecting Ilumbakanda and Suriyakanda. Conservator General of Forests W. W. M. P. S. C. Palamkumbura denied knowledge of any such project, stressing that the area in question has already been gazetted as part of Sinharaja. Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi also dismissed the claims, insisting that “no such project is currently underway and no such project will be allowed.”
Despite these assurances, environmental groups remain alarmed. Activists argue that informal discussions have already taken place and that a ruling party parliamentarian has visited the location. They claim that since then, illegal encroachment and forest damage have been reported, raising fears of a gradual erosion of protections.
Sinharaja, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, is one of the last remaining rainforests in Sri Lanka and a global biodiversity hotspot. Any road construction within its boundaries would not only violate international commitments but also threaten endemic species, fragile ecosystems, and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.
The growing tension highlights a broader issue of balancing development with conservation. While the government insists there is no road-building effort, activists are demanding transparent monitoring, firm safeguards, and UNESCO intervention to ensure Sinharaja’s integrity is not compromised.
