Government has launched a three-year conservation and development plan for the Gothatuwa Wetland Park, located within the Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha area of Colombo District.
Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara participated in a field inspection of the sanctuary on Feb. 6, ahead of the project’s implementation, authorities said.
The wetland, spread across about 35 hectares and rich in biodiversity, had come under threat in recent years due to illegal settlements and unauthorized activities. Although the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2021 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the absence of a structured conservation and management program led to continued environmental degradation.
Under the current arrangement, the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, operating under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, has been authorized to carry out wetland maintenance. The project includes demarcating protected boundaries, installing a new security fence, and ensuring the area is preserved as a natural water retention zone.
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the wetland, which is vital for flood control in Kolonnawa and surrounding parts of Colombo, is being formally integrated into Colombo’s flood mitigation system as a key rainwater retention area.
The conservation project is expected to cost 245 million Sri Lankan rupees. Authorities also plan to maintain nearly 1,000 acres of water retention areas across Colombo District, with the Gothatuwa Wetland Park playing a central role in managing rainwater and reducing urban flooding. (NewsWire)
