News
Storm over attempts to build hydro-power project
By Ifham Nizam
The Centre for Environmental Justice is expected to hold a discussion with the Central Environmental Authority to register its protest against a controversial mini hydro project.
CEJ Senior Advisor Hematha Withanage told The Island that hundreds of protesters including villagers and environmentalists were urging government agencies to stop a small hydro power project near the Athwelthota Pilithuda Falls.
Environmentalists, Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera, Hemantha Withanage, Nayanaka Ranwella Sajeeva Chamikara and Dilena Pathragoda said they would resort to legal action against the project.
Withanage said the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) had asked the people to evacuate due to the region’s eco sensitivity but endorsed the construction of a mini-hydro project.
He said Renewable Energy Minister Duminda Dissanayake had ordered the acceleration of work on 19 proposed hydro power plants which were suspended previously due to public protests.
Peelithuda Falls is on a tributary of the Sinharaja Ecosystem near the Palan River at Athwelthota, Morapitiya in the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat.
The Palindanuwara Pradeshiya Sabha has unanimously agreed not to allow this project. The Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat has also informed the relevant agencies that the people are against the project.
Naturalist Nayanaka Ranwella said that the area was home to 15 endangered fish species and 18 endemic fish species. In addition, there are specialised aquatic plants in the ecosystem, and many species of reptiles and frogs live along the river banks, he added.
Since 2007, Sakura Energy (Pvt) Ltd has been constructing a 1.5 MW small hydroelectric power plant across the falls. If such a power plant was built in the vicinity of this waterfall, the aforesaid ecosystem would be destroyed, environmental activists warned.
More than 1.5 metres of the embankment will be built over the waterfall and about 900 meters of the river will be drained. As a result, tourists as well as the people in the villages around Morapitiya, will lose both bathing places during the dry season. Many trees in the forest along the river will also be destroyed, Withanage said, adding that the area.
In 2014, the IEE prepared a preliminary environmental research report on this waterfall, obtained the approval letters from the relevant institutions and made arrangements to build a power plant across the Peelithuda Falls. The people of Morapitiya and Athwelthota strongly protested against it and the Centre for Environmental Justice took legal action. The case was dismissed based on the law of prescription and it could not be misconstrued as judicial approval for the project, Withanage said.
The National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA) has prepared a research report on the endemic fish that live there. There has been no activity or construction associated with this waterfall since then. Despite this situation, in 2017, nine lives and physical property were destroyed due to landslides in the area around this waterfall. Extreme levels of flood danger were announced in at least two kilometres radius on both sides of the falls. Several families have already been evacuated from high-risk areas.
According to the landslide map released by the NBRO, there are several landslides in the region, one of which is above the proposed powerhouse. A few more are still in the lead above the Athwelthota Gangarama Temple.
It is illegal to request permission to carry out the project based on the initial environmental report, six years after it was prepared. According to the Environmental Assessment Act in the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, the report is generally required to be executed within three years of its preparation. Otherwise, it will be invalid. Any other permit or validity issued for this purpose has already expired. In such a case, an environmental report and institutional approvals are required for this project. Despite repeated attempts, Sakura Senior Management was not available for comment.
Latest News
Heat Index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 08 May 2026, valid for 09 May 2026
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam, yesterday raised serious concerns over the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, questioning whether the incident was a suicide, murder, or a case of being compelled to take his own life.
Addressing the media, Kariyawasam claimed that Chandrasena had recently become a controversial figure after allegedly submitting an affidavit to court detailing threats made against him.
According to Kariyawasam, the affidavit stated that Chandrasena had been taken to the office of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), where he was allegedly threatened by its Director General, Ranga Dissanayake.
Kariyawasam alleged that Chandrasena had claimed he was warned to comply with certain demands or face consequences similar to those experienced by another individual, linked to a case involving former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
He also claimed that Chandrasena’s affidavit referred to alleged attempts to implicate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MP Namal Rajapaksa in legal proceedings.
Kariyawasam questioned how Chandrasena, who had reportedly been in remand custody, was able to secure two bail guarantors, and called for an immediate investigation into who introduced the guarantors and whether any prison or CIABOC officials had been involved.
He urged the courts to examine CCTV footage and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the provision of the guarantors.
Claiming that public suspicion surrounding the death was growing, Kariyawasam said the incident could not be dismissed as a straightforward suicide.
He alleged that several recent incidents involving complainants and suspects had raised broader concerns over the rule of law and the protection of suspects’ rights in the country.
Calling for an independent investigation, Kariyawasam urged authorities to disclose the truth to the public, stressing that even suspects are entitled to legal safeguards and protections in a democratic society.
The Supreme Court yesterday directed the petitioning party to take steps to reissue notice to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been named as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition.
The petition had been filed seeking an order to recover compensation funds allegedly paid unlawfully to former Ministers and Members of Parliament whose houses were set on fire or damaged during the countrywide violence that erupted following the purported attack on the “Aragalaya” protest site on May 9, 2022.
The Supreme Court issued this order during the hearing of the Fundamental Rights petition, which was filed seeking a declaration that the payment of such compensation was unlawful.
Heat Index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime
Finn Allen’s 47-ball ton powers Kolkata Knight Riders to huge win over Delhi Capitals
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western and North-central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Mannar districts.
SLPP expresses concern over death of former SriLankan CEO
SC orders fresh notice on Gotabaya in compensation case
Vietnamese Leader offers to share its experience with Sri Lanka in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News2 days agoMIT expert warns of catastrophic consequences of USD 2.5 mn Treasury heist
-
News4 days agoCJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
-
News5 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News6 days agoEaster Sunday Case: Ex-SIS Chief concealed intel, former Defence Secy tells court
-
Business6 days agoDialog Surpasses 1,000 5G Sites, Strengthening Nationwide 5G Coverage
-
Editorial2 days agoClean Sri Lanka and dirty politics
-
Editorial5 days agoDeliver or perish
-
News5 days agoAdministrators oppose govt. move to deploy Clean Sri Lanka agents in District and Divisional Secretariats