Construction activities at the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone have been ordered to be suspended until further notice, pending a technical assessment by experts, the Ministry of Environment said.
In a statement issued on January 9, the ministry said it has instructed the Central Environmental Authority to halt all construction on the Ambuluwawa mountain until a formal report is obtained from specialists and a determination is made on the level of risk in the area.
The move follows concerns raised ove environmental management and safety conditions within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone.
The ministry also said steps are being taken to appoint a committee of experts to investigate issues related to the administration and control of the protected area. The committee is expected to examine environmental, structural and regulatory aspects linked to ongoing and proposed developments.
In addition, officials from the Central Environmental Authority, along with journalists who have reported on the issue and civil society activists, are to jointly conduct a field inspection of the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone in the coming days, according to the statement.
Authorities said further decisions on construction and future management of the area will be made based on the findings of the expert report and the field observations. (Newswire)
