Colombo (News 1st); Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa has agreed not to go ahead with the proposed plan to construct reservoirs inside the Sinharaja Rainforest, said Dr. Punchinilame Meegaswatte assumed duties as the Secretary-General of Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU).

“The proposed Gin – Nilwala Diversion project is only a plan. When you look at it scientifically, the engineers have realized that Mandugete is the ideal location to gather water. Though they construct the dam outside the rainforest, water will be collected in an area inside the rainforest,” he said.

Dr. Punchinilame Meegaswatte said he explained to the Minister and the engineers that if the rainforest is flooded, it will harm the ecosystem.

During the meeting, the Irrigation Minister had accepted the explanation and agreed not to go ahead with any construction while instructing the engineers to explore alternatives.

“There will be no tank construction inside the Sinharaja Rainforest,” stressed Dr. Punchinilame Meegaswatte adding not a single tree will be removed from the World Heritage Site.

On Thursday (25) The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU) warned the proposed agrarian tank project in Sinharaja will have an impact on approximately 04 hectares of the Sinharaj Rainforest.

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