Sri Lanka’s environmental regulator has formally instructed the country’s cricket authorities that no development work is permitted at the Mandativu cricket grounds until the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is fully completed, underscoring growing scrutiny over development projects in ecologically sensitive coastal regions.

Director General of the Central Environmental Authority, Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha, told ‘The Island’ that the Authority had issued an official notification last week to the cricket authorities, clearly stating that any form of physical development on the Mandativu site would be a violation of environmental regulations until the mandatory environmental clearance is granted.

“We have officially informed the cricket authorities last week that no development activities are permitted on the Mandativu grounds until the Environmental Impact Assessment process is completed and approved,” Rajapaksha said. “This instruction has been communicated formally, and it must be strictly adhered to in keeping with the provisions of the National Environmental Act.”

Mandativu, an island off the coast of Jaffna, lies within a fragile coastal ecosystem characterised by lagoons, mangroves, intertidal zones, and rich marine biodiversity. Environmentalists have long warned that large-scale infrastructure projects in such areas could disrupt natural drainage patterns, damage habitats, and accelerate coastal degradation.

The proposed development of cricket infrastructure at Mandativu has drawn increasing attention not only because of its scale but also because of its location in an environmentally sensitive zone.

According to environmental regulations in Sri Lanka, any major development project in coastal, island, or ecologically vulnerable areas must undergo a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment to evaluate potential environmental, social, and ecological consequences before approval is granted.

Rajapaksha stressed that the EIA process is not merely a procedural requirement but a critical scientific and legal safeguard designed to ensure that development does not irreversibly damage ecosystems.

“The Environmental Impact Assessment is essential to evaluate the possible environmental consequences of the proposed development,” he explained. “Only after a thorough review, including technical assessments and public consultation where necessary, can a decision be made on whether such a project may proceed, and under what conditions.”

He noted that the Authority is committed to ensuring that development in Sri Lanka proceeds in a sustainable manner, balancing national infrastructure ambitions with environmental protection.

Sri Lanka has witnessed several controversial development projects in recent years, particularly in coastal and island regions, where concerns have been raised about habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise and storm surges.

Mandativu itself is part of a delicate ecological network in the northern coastal belt, where mangrove systems act as natural buffers against erosion and storms while also serving as vital nurseries for fish and other marine species that sustain local livelihoods.

Environmental experts say that unregulated land filling, construction, or alteration of coastal terrain could disrupt hydrological flows, affect fisheries, and undermine the ecological balance that communities depend upon.

Rajapaksha emphasised that the Central Environmental Authority will continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure full compliance with environmental law.

“Our responsibility is to safeguard the environment while enabling responsible development,” he said. “No project, regardless of its nature or sponsor, can proceed without fulfilling environmental requirements.”

The Authority’s directive signals a firm regulatory stance at a time when Sri Lanka is increasingly seeking infrastructure development to boost regional economic growth, including sports infrastructure aimed at nurturing talent and expanding facilities.

However, environmental governance frameworks require that such development must not come at the cost of ecological sustainability.

Under Sri Lanka’s National Environmental Act, projects that fall within prescribed categories or are located in environmentally sensitive areas must undergo rigorous environmental review before implementation. The EIA process typically involves baseline environmental studies, identification of potential impacts, mitigation measures, and opportunities for stakeholder input.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in suspension of projects, legal action, and penalties.

Rajapaksha reiterated that environmental compliance is not optional.

“The law is clear. Until the Environmental Impact Assessment is completed and the necessary approvals are granted, no development activity can take place at the Mandativu site,” he said.

The directive serves as a reminder that Sri Lanka’s environmental regulatory framework, when enforced, has the power to pause even high-profile development initiatives in order to ensure that the country’s fragile ecosystems are protected for future generations.

By Ifham Nizam