The Notification of the Gazette increasing to 36,474.93 hectares the size of the protected Sinharaja rainforest area, signed by former President Maithripala Sirisena on 11 November 2019, was released more than one year later.
The Gazette declaration was dated 20 November 2019.
Following news of construction activities in recent weeks in the vicinity of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, environmentalists and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the delay in issuing the Gazette to extend the rainforest protected area.
More News: Sri Lanka participation at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) reaps positive results
It was a effort taken by former president Maithripala Sirisena,
“My gratitude and appreciation to all environmentalists who stand up to protect the great environment first and foremost, and to all those who enjoy the environment. It is our duty and our responsibility to secure this great planet for the sake of the future,” he said.
