News
Regulatory rollback tailored for “politically backed megaprojects”— Environmentalists
Investigations have revealed that the government’s controversial easing of environmental regulations appears closely aligned with the interests of a small but powerful coalition of politically connected investors, environmentalists have alleged.
The move weakens key Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements and accelerates approvals for high-risk projects, has triggered a storm of criticism from environmental scientists, civil society groups and even sections within the administration, they have claimed.
Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage, Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice, told The Island that the policy reversal “bears the fingerprints of elite political financiers who view Sri Lanka’s natural assets as commodities to be carved up for profit.”
“This is not accidental. This is deliberate restructuring to favour a specific group of power brokers,” he told The Island. “The list of beneficiaries is clear: large-scale mineral extraction interests, luxury hotel developers targeting protected coastlines, politically backed hydropower operators, industrial agriculture companies seeking forest land, and quarry operators with direct political patronage.”
Information gathered through government insiders points to four clusters of projects that stand to gain substantially:
Several politically shielded operators have been lobbying for years to weaken environmental checks on silica sand mining, gem pit expansions, dolomite extraction and rock quarrying in the central and northwestern regions.
High-end tourism ventures — especially in coastal and wetland buffer zones — have repeatedly clashed with community opposition and EIA conditions. The rollback clears obstacles previously raised by environmental officers.
At least half a dozen mini-hydro proposals in protected catchments have stalled due to community objections and ecological concerns. The new rules are expected to greenlight them.
Plantation and agribusiness companies with political links are seeking access to forest-adjacent lands, especially in the North Central and Uva Provinces.
“These sectors have been pushing aggressively for deregulation,” a senior Ministry source confirmed. “Now they’ve got exactly what they wanted.”
Internal rifts within the Environment Ministry are widening. Several senior officers told The Island they were instructed not to “delay or complicate” approvals for projects endorsed by select political figures.
A senior officer, requesting anonymity, said:
“This is not policymaking — it’s political engineering. Officers who raise scientific concerns are sidelined.”
Another added:”There are files we cannot even question. The directive is clear: expedite.”
Opposition parliamentarians are preparing to demand a special parliamentary probe into what they call “environmental state capture” — the takeover of regulatory functions by those with political and financial leverage.
“This is governance for the few, not the many,” an Opposition MP told The Island. “The rollback benefits the government’s inner circle and their funders. The public gets the consequences: floods, landslides, water scarcity.”
Withanage issued a stark warning:
“When rivers dry up, when villages are buried in landslides, when wetlands vanish, these will not be natural disasters. These will be political crimes — caused by decisions made today under pressure from financiers.”
He said CEJ was already preparing legal and public campaigns to challenge the changes.
“We will expose the networks behind these decisions. We will not allow Sri Lanka’s environment to be traded for political loyalty.”
Civil society organisations, environmental lawyers and grassroots communities are mobilising for a nationwide protest and legal response. Several cases are expected to be filed in the coming weeks.
“This is only the beginning,” Withanage said firmly. “The fight to protect Sri Lanka’s environment is now a fight against political capture itself.”
By Ifham Nizam
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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