Development project places Nawala wetland at risk

COLOMBO (News1st): Residents of Nawala allege that the contruction of a bridge connecting Nawala and Ethul Kotte is affecting a wetland in the area. On November 9, the cabinet had approved a proposal to construct a bridge across the Rajagiriya-Nawala Canal at a cost of nearly Rs 1.7 billion. The construction of the bridge connecting Angampitiya Road in Ethul Kotte and School Lane in Nawala is due to be completed in nine months. But residents of Nawala point out that the project carried out by the State Development and Design Corporation will negatively impact a wetland in the area. In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, residents insisted that the project will threaten the existence of vegetation covers, and would destroy the rich biodiversity in the natural landscape. The letter adds that the aquatic fauna in the canal can be affected in the case of accidental oil spill and toxic chemicals being released into the water body during construction.