January 27, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced plans to establish a dedicated authority this year to oversee and protect the environmentally sensitive Central Highlands.
The President made the announcement while attending the launch of the Godanagamu Adhishtanaye Sanhinda national initiative, a programme designed to fast-track the restoration of religious places damaged by Cyclone Ditwah and reopen them for worship and community use.
The ceremony took place today at the Sri Bodhirukkarama Viharaya in Gampola under his patronage.
Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake said the proposed body would be entrusted with the responsibility of planning and regulating all key activities within the Central Highlands, including agriculture-related industries, irrigation projects, wildlife protection and resettlement programmes. He stressed that the aim is to ensure development takes place without compromising the region’s ecological balance.
He added that comprehensive legislation will be introduced to grant the new authority wide-ranging legal powers, enabling it to function independently and enforce compliance. Support from the Asian Development Bank is also expected to strengthen the initiative, particularly in technical and planning aspects.
Under the proposed framework, any development project within the Central Highlands will require prior approval from the authority. The President further noted that the body will be empowered to initiate firm legal action against individuals or institutions that violate approved plans, underscoring the government’s intention to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to environmental degradation in the region.
