January 01, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Army has launched an extensive operation to restore damaged steps along the main approach to Sri Pada, after severe weather triggered landslides that left sections of the Mahagiridamba route unsafe for pilgrims.
Although this year’s pilgrimage season began on December 04, 2025, heavy rains and unstable ground conditions disrupted access, prompting urgent safety concerns for devotees travelling to the sacred site. In response, Army engineering teams were mobilised from December 11 to stabilise the pathway and carry out essential repairs.
Nearly 400 troops are currently working in challenging conditions, manually transporting construction materials across steep and slippery terrain where machinery cannot be used. Their efforts are focused on reinforcing the route to ensure uninterrupted and secure passage during the height of the pilgrimage.
According to the Army, construction of a 300-millimetre side wall has already been completed, while work on a 500-millimetre wall was almost finished by the end of December. Progress is also being made on the main retaining wall, which is now more than halfway complete, alongside the installation of new handrails to improve safety.
The Army expects all remaining work to be wrapped up by January 05, 2026, allowing pilgrims to continue their journey to Sri Pada with greater confidence and security.
