Presidential approval to re-commence road construction work along Sinharaja rain forest

The Army is given the task of completing the Neluwa – Lankagama road near the border of Sinharaja rainforest within 90 days without causing any harm to the surrounding ecosystem.

The directive was issued after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who visited Neluwa and Lankagama villages located near to Sinharaja Rainforest reserve last weekend, following reports that rehabilitation work of Neluwa – Lankagama road is causing damage to Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

After inspecting suspended development work President pointed out that the long-felt need of the rehabilitation of the road should be carried out while protecting the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and nearby vicinities, according to a statement issued by President Media Division.

The unsatisfactory condition of the road hinders transportation of patients to Neluwa, Udugama and Karapitiya hospitals. It also causes many hardships to the children pursuing their education as well as to the day-to-day activities of the villagers. Rehabilitating “Neluwa- Lankagama- Pitadeniya” road was commenced as a measure to address these difficulties.

Simultaneously, 120 feet long and 6 feet wide bridge will be constructed to replace the existing hanging bridge over Ginganga in Lankagama. This will facilitate children in Wathugala, Lankagama, Nilwella, Kolonthotuwa and Pitadeniya to reach their schools.
President directed the officials to distribute 3 plants to each of 700 families in Lankagama and to get the families to nurture the total of 2100 plants and add them to the forest reserve.

People in the area said that they protected Sinharaja Forest and its eco system from generation to generation and strongly objected to the moves by certain environmentalists who act without proper knowledge for obstructing one of their basic needs being met. A father who was carrying his toddler on his shoulder requested the President “please do not let our children to suffer the way we did”.