Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi has signed a gazette notification introducing special regulations for the sustainable management of Nil Diya Pokuna, located within the Ravana Ella Sanctuary.
The move is aimed at safeguarding the site for future generations while ensuring responsible tourism practices.
The gazette, issued under Section 2(2) of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, sets out rules for managing services provided to visitors and outlines strict prohibitions to protect the environmentally sensitive area.
Key regulations are as follows;
- Visitor restrictions: Children under ten are not permitted to enter the cave. Those aged 10–18 may enter only with a guardian.
- Student access: Students must carry identification or permission letters and use only designated routes.
- Prohibited activities: Bathing in the pond, dumping waste or substances into the water, making loud noises, playing instruments, lighting fires, smoking, consuming alcohol or drugs, and altering or marking rocks are banned.
The gazette was signed at the Ministry of Environment premises in the presence of Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody, Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala, Additional Secretary Buwaneka Herath, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Ranjan Marasinghe, and other officials. (Newswire)