A proposal to reopen an old gravel road through the Knuckles Conservation Forest to restore access to the Meemure area has drawn concern from the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, citing potential risks to the Central Highlands’ World Heritage status.
In a letter addressed to relevant authorities, Secretary General Prof. Prabhath Jayasinghe stressed the need to balance humanitarian access following recent road damage with long-term environmental and heritage obligations.
The proposed route, running from Teldeniya-Thangappuwa to Attalawettuwa, would cut through the ecologically sensitive Knuckles Reserve, which forms part of the UNESCO-listed Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, alongside Horton Plains and Sripada.
Prof. Jayasinghe warned that any road development through the reserve could undermine the site’s Outstanding Universal Value, a key criterion for its World Heritage designation. He further noted that the UNESCO Regional Office in New Delhi has already made inquiries regarding the project, indicating heightened international scrutiny.
“If these concerns are not addressed, Sri Lanka risks the Central Highlands being placed on UNESCO’s danger list or even losing its World Heritage status altogether,” Jayasinghe stated. Such outcomes, he cautioned, could carry significant environmental, diplomatic, and economic consequences.
Amid increasing international interest following the recent disaster, several development partners have expressed willingness to support relief and recovery efforts. The National Commission stressed that local actions must align with Sri Lanka’s environmental commitments to maintain donor confidence and avoid perceptions of weak heritage protection.
The Commission has called for a thorough evaluation of alternative emergency access routes in consultation with the Department of Forest Conservation, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and UNESCO representatives before moving forward with the road project.
Prof. Jayasinghe also stressed that the urgent needs of affected communities and the country’s heritage responsibilities should be addressed in a balanced and integrated manner. (Newswire)