Safeguarding Central Highlands
New Integrated Framework to Bring All Stakeholders Together to Safeguard and Rebuild Central Highlands — President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the isolated functioning of institutions responsible for construction and land management, agriculture, livestock, and environmental conservation has posed challenges in restoring the Central Highlands, which were devastated by Cyclone Ditwah.
The President noted that efforts are underway to establish a new integrated framework, bringing together all relevant parties to swiftly safeguard and rebuild the Central Highlands
The President made these remarks during a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat with representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and relevant government and private-sector institutions, focusing on securing the Central Highlands and restoring forest plantations.
It was emphasized that nearly 4,000 landslides have occurred in the Central Highlands due to Cyclone Ditwa, and that prolonged unauthorized construction, cultivation activities, and inadequate maintenance have contributed to this situation.
The discussion also stressed the urgent need for a national policy to secure the Central Highlands and preserve them for future generations.
The discussion also addressed the need for an Authority empowered under the relevant legislation to oversee these activities, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials to expedite the implementation.
Representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasized the need to maintain a dedicated financial fund for these initiatives and confirmed their full support for Sri Lanka in the restoration of the Central Highlands.
Representatives who attended included Country Operations Head, ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission, Cholpon Mambetova, Senior Agricultural and Natural Resources Specialist at the ADB, Sumith Pokhre,l and Assistant Project Officer Krishanthi Dabare, UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota, and programme representatives Wageesha Gunasekara and Sugandhi Samarasinghe, were also present.
Also participating were the Commissioner-General of Essential Services and the Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Prabath Chandrakeerthi; the Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Engineer L. Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta; and senior officials from the relevant Ministries, as well as heads of other government and private institutions.