News

The success story behind developing Rathna Ella as an eco-tourism venture

Published

5 years ago

2021/03/28

By Ifham Nizam

Rathna Ella, the 14th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, has been developed as an eco-tourism venture by the National Ethnic Unity Foundation (NEUF) with GEF-SGP/UNDP funding.

Situated within the 345-hectare Rathna Ella Conservation forest at Hasalaka in the Kandy district, the waterfall is formed by the Hasalaka Oya, the only water source available for drinking and agricultural purposes to around 2,000 families.

On average, around 5,000 people visit the waterfall annually, of which 80% are local tourists.

“As the first step, we mobilized villagers to conserve the Rathna Ella forest by forming Soba Mithuro of Rathna Ella (Nature Friends of Rathna Ella) to regularize eco-tourism activities in the area by ensuring the safe disposal of waste, improvement of facilities available to visitors, and in general, formalize eco-tourism, while offering the villagers an opportunity to enhance their livelihoods”, says NEUF Chairman, B. W. Gunasekara.

Soba Mithuro, headed by its president and an executive committee, has a membership of 37 persons representing families of the village. It collaborates local residents, especially the youth, who are one of the main beneficiaries of the project.

Initially, the CBO (Community-based Organization) identified key issues in the Rathna Ella village due to unplanned tourism. As the project proponent, the NEUF was able to effectively mobilize villagers to conserve the environment, while giving them the opportunity to benefit from eco-tourism related activities.

The Sri Jayewardenepura University carried out water and soil analysis of the entire landscape. They collected water and soil samples for analysis to determine the health of the ecosystem of the project area.

The Mahaweli Authority supported the initiative by providing training to villagers on livelihood development activities and self-employment. It also contributed towards providing sewing machines to them.

The Department of Agriculture provided training on organic agriculture to the farmers through agricultural instructors.

As the project was an eco-tourism development venture, it was very attractive to youth and many were keen to get involved. At present, about 20 youth are actively involved in its activities. The project facilitated capacity building of youth in enhancing their ability to undertake small-scale business ventures, Gunasekara noted.

The key objectives of the project are to conserve the Rathna Ella, Kaluwawatuna Ella falls and Rathna Ella Conservation forest through the empowerment and involvement of the community and to improve the livelihoods of 20 families in the village by developing eco-tourism related income generating activities.

The initiatives of the project is to offer benefits to villagers, offer a memorable experience to tourists and contribute effectively towards the sustainability of the pristine environment and its biodiversity.

Among the work undertaken under the project include the establishment of an information outlet on the Rathna Ella village and the surrounding ecosystem. Visitors will be advised on how to behave in a manner that would preserve the environment and also on taking necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

A sales outlet was established to display locally made handicraft and food items by villagers, which helps to strengthen their livelihoods considerably.

The project has also supported the development of traditional reed handicrafts and train women to continue the traditional artisan work. Boots, torches and ropes needed for hiking are also provided to visitors.

A waste management plan is also in place with many trash bins in various places. The waste collected is recycled or safely disposed to prevent pollution and prevent injury to visitors. The project also promoted organic farming in the village, which was a relatively new concept for the farmers.

Organic farming activities promoted by the project have emphasized the production of organic fertilizer with the dual objective of safeguarding the environment and promoting eco-friendly farming practices. Promotion and familiarization of organic farming and home gardening have helped minimize chemical pollution of soil and water in the downstream area. The project has trained 15 families to make their own organic fertilizer.

Rathna Ella Conservation forest was the primary source of income for some villagers. In the past, illegal activities such as logging, gem mining and cutting trees for firewood were widespread within the forest. The eco-tourism project promoted sustainable income generating opportunities to ensure that the pressure on the forest for livelihoods was minimized.

Other products sold to visitors include dairy products, paper bags, garments, disposable masks, reed-based products, traditional foods and value added agricultural products.

Moreover, the beneficiaries also operate home-stays and camping sites, undertake grain milling, sell potted plants, paper bags and clothing items. At present, 44 individuals are engaged in home gardening, which has been introduced as an optional livelihood activity. The average monthly household income of the villagers was around Rs. 23,500 at the beginning of the project. This has now increased to Rs. 40,000 as a result of related activities.

Seed paddy varieties were also distributed among 15 families to start their own cultivation. These varieties enjoy a high demand among consumers and can fetch a good price compared to more common varieties of rice in the local market.

During the height of Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism industry collapsed, and the villagers had few opportunities to make a living. The CBO stepped in by providing fertilizer, vegetables and grains to 43 needy families.

The possibility of marketing products at hotels, restaurants, eating houses, grocery stores and in supermarkets in the Hasalaka and Mahiyangana areas is also being explored.

The project facilitated several self-employment opportunities and small businesses for the women in the village. At present, 37 women who had been previously confined to doing household chores are self-employed, adding to the household income. They are now able to earn an average monthly income of Rs. 40,000 through their business ventures.

As there are no foreign tourists visiting the site now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the women have started to make disposable masks to support their families, Project Coordinator, Thilina Madushanka, said.

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News

Theft of USD 2.5 mn from Treasury: CoPF accused of complicity in NPP cover-up

Published

17 hours ago

2026/06/15

Thilina Walpola

Harsha rejects what he called frivolous accusations

Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva dismissed Free Lawyers’ claim that his Committee had helped delay a proper investigation into the theft of USD 2.5 mn (nearly Rs 1 bn) from the Treasury.

The Colombo District SJB MP said that he wouldn’t comment on frivolous accusations against his Committee. “We conduct ourselves in keeping with the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility.”

Dr. de Silva said so when The Island raised the Free Lawyers’ allegation that the Treasury and the Central Bank were using the CoPF as a tool to prolong investigations into the unprecedented theft of funds. Free Lawyers targeted the CoPF in a statement issued by Maithri Gunaratne, PC, and civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon.

The other members of the CoPF are Harshana Rajakaruna (SJB), Ravi Karunanayake (NDF), Nimal Palihena (NPP), Wijesiri Basnayake (NPP), Thilina Samarakoon (NPP), Lakmali Hemachandra (NPP), Chathuranga Abeysinghe (NPP), Kaushalya Ariyaratne (NPP), Akram Ilyas (NPP), Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanikkyam (ITAK), Champika Hettiarachchi (NPP), Sunil Rajapaksha (NPP),

M. K. M. Aslam (NPP), Ajith Agalakada (NPP), Rauff Hakeem (SLMC), Chitral Fernando (SJB) and Nishantha Jayaweera (NPP).

Tennakoon said the theft of funds happened over eight months ago and the Parliament owed the country a clear explanation regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 mn. The CoPF, instead of expediting the process, has conveniently granted time for those responsible for the loss to cover up their tracks. “Free Lawyers pursue the issue at hand vigorously as we were the first to reveal the loss of USD 2.5 mn. Those who knew it remained silent until our disclosure,” he said, alleging that Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne was yet to respond to their letter regarding the USD 2.5 theft.

Responding to queries, Tennakoon said that political parties represented in the CoPF should be held responsible for the developing situation. “The Committee on Public Accounts Committee (CoPA) headed by SJB MP Kabir Hashim too, should explain its failure to deal with the USD 2.5 mn theft. Both CoPF and CoPA led by two SJB MPs should act now. Dr. de Silva and Hashim are answerable to the public, particularly because they represent the main Opposition.”

The CoPA consists of Kabir Hashim, Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera (NPP), Sugath Thilakaratne (NPP), Anton Jayakody (NPP), Chandana Sooriyaarachchi (NPP), Ruwanthilaka Jayakody (NPP), Nalin Hewage (NPP), Oshani Umanga (NPP), Manjula Suraweera (NPP), Sagarika Athauda (NPP), Janaka Senarathna (NPP), K.Illankumaran (NPP), Dinidu Saman Henanayake (NPP), Susantha Kumara Navaratna (NPP), Lal Premanath (NPP), Aravinda Senarath (NPP), Thushari Jayasinghe (NPP), T. K. Jayasundera, Ajantha Gammeddage (NPP), Sundaralingam Pradeep (NPP), Kavinda Jayawardena (SJB), J.C. Alawathuwala (SJB),Hector Appuhamy (SJB), Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran (ITAK), Chamara Sampath Dassanayake (NDF), Rohitha Abeygunawardena (NDF), M.L.A.M. Hisbullah (SLMC), M.A.M. Thahir (ACMC), Chanaka Madugoda (SLPP) and Sunil Ratnasiri (NPP).

Tennakoon said that both CoPF and CoPA were dominated by the NPP though the SJBers headed them. However, as heads of the two parliamentary committees, Dr. de Silva and Hashim, should be held responsible for lapses on the part of the committees or any deliberate omissions, Tennakoon said, questioning the rationale behind giving the Treasury and the CBSL six weeks to submit their findings to the CoPF.

Free Lawyers alleged that USD 2.5 had been released in spite of JP Morgan Chase and the Federal Reserve in the United States warning Sri Lanka about the suspicious nature of those foreign transactions via SWIFT messages. Tennakoon emphasized investigators should closely inquire into the decision taken to release funds regardless of such high-profile warnings.

Tennakoon said that the integrity of two key parliamentary committees is at stake. The civil society activist said that the country was in a highly critical phase of debt restructuring following a severe economic crisis. Tennakoon pointed out in terms of a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme, the government’s debt management functions, previously carried out by the CBSL, were recently transferred to a new institution established under the General Treasury—the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).

by Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Viral diseases on the rise

Published

17 hours ago

2026/06/15

Thilina Walpola

The number of patients hospitalised due to viral illnesses, including dengue fever, had increased significantly, health officials said yesterday, adding that there had been a rise in daily dengue-related admissions.

Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr. Kapila Kannangara said Sri Lanka had recorded 41,144 dengue cases as of Saturday (13).

He said more than half of the reported cases—around 51 percent—were from the Western Province.

According to Dr. Kannangara, the number of dengue patients admitted to hospital daily had reached 750, but it had declined to around 630. However, he cautioned that infection levels remained “very high,” despite the slight drop in hospital admissions.

The dengue death toll has risen to 24, prompting several hospitals to issue red alerts amid continued pressure on wards treating incoming patients.

Health officials warned that the situation could worsen if case numbers continued to rise. Dr. Kannangara noted that the growing burden on healthcare facilities could eventually exceed system capacity.

The public has been urged to take preventive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to seek prompt medical attention if dengue symptoms develop.

by Chaminda Silva

News

Ranil warns of another economic crisis, calls for Opposition unity

Published

17 hours ago

2026/06/15

Thilina Walpola

Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned that Sri Lanka is heading towards a severe economic crisis, alleging that the current administration is steering the country towards “total collapse.”

Addressing a meeting of the UNP Working Committee at the party headquarters on Flower Road on Thursday, Wickremesinghe claimed that the government was facing mounting difficulties on multiple fronts, with the economy continuing to deteriorate.

He also accused the administration of pursuing policies that, he said, marginalised war heroes and Buddhist monks.

Wickremesinghe expressed concern over what he described as an erosion of fundamental and legal rights, citing the arrest and alleged ill-treatment of former State Intelligence Service Chief Suresh Sallay as an example. He said the rising cost of living had emerged as one of the main concerns of the public.

Commenting on the political situation, the former President said the Opposition had not been able to forge unity among the anti-government forces and called for greater coordination among Opposition parties and groups. He advocated a phased mobilisation strategy, beginning at village and electorate level, instead of attempting to address all issues simultaneously.

Wickremesinghe also announced a series of political campaigns and rallies aimed at strengthening the Opposition movement. The programme is scheduled to commence in Kandy this weekend, with subsequent events planned in Kurunegala and Kalutara.

He said the UNP was engaged in discussions with several political parties and organisations, including those led by Minister Jeevan Thondaman, with a view to forming a broader political alliance.Wickremesinghe urged party members to expedite discussions and arrive at a collective decision on the way forward to address the country’s challenges.