The Ministry of Environment has clarified that it has not granted approval or support for any road construction project through the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The clarification follows recent media reports suggesting a road was being built through the forest.
According to the Ministry, a proposal has been discussed during a recent District Development Committee meeting in Ratnapura regarding the improvement of tourism infrastructure. As part of this discussion, a site inspection was conducted by several district committee representatives to assess the proposed route.
However, the Ministry of Environment and the Forest Conservation Department confirm that no proposal or request for approval has been submitted to them regarding such a road. The Ministry has decided not to support or permit any construction of this nature, the statement added.
The Environment Ministry does not endorse or provide support for any road development or expansion activities through protected areas such as the Sinharaja Forest, it said. (Newswire)
