Heli pad proposal for midway in Sri Pada climb

23 February 2013 04:14 am

A proposal had been made to construct a helicopter landing pad several kilometers below the Maha Maluwa of Sri Pada  (summit) to land helicopters of VIPs and to airlift visitors who fall sick while visiting Sri Pada.

When the Daily Mirror contacted Sunil Shantha Weerasekara, Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devalaya in Ratnapura, he said there was a discussion about constructing a helipad. He said he just voiced the concerns expressed by many tourists and VIP members who visited the Sri Pada site.

“I just presented an idea at the discussion but I assure you that there are no plans to construct a helipad yet. Even earlier when Malaysian envoy visited Sri Pada he inquired about the availability of a helipad in case of a visitor who falls sick. On an earlier occasion, Russian nationals fell sick while on their visit to Sri Pada and we didn’t have a way to immediately take them for medical treatment, at least to Nallathanni. It was only on this context I presented the idea but there are no plans yet,” he said.

He said there was an area called Andiyawalathenna where they had observed an increased growth of a particular invasive plant and added that maybe after destroying the plants the area could be used to land helicopters not as a large helipad but to have a clearing.

“During an earlier occasion too, helicopters have landed several kilometers away from the Sri Pada Maha Maluwa to bring generators. However, I would like to stress that we would never endanger the eco system because we are the guardians of Sri Pada,s” he said.

While reiterating that a helipad would not be built, he said the discussions were held to come up with a national policy to protect and provide a better environment for the devotees who visit Sri Pada.

“Earlier there was a rumour about building a cable car system. We are against any project that will threaten the sustainability of Sri Pada. The discussion would be held on February 26, with the participation of about 22 national bodies to protect the wildlife, flora and fauna, archaeology and the heritage of Sri Pada” he said.

Meanwhile, environmentalists voicing their concern about the sustainability of the Sri Pada eco system objected to the idea of constructing a helipad.
The Environmental Conservation Trust (ECT) alleged that a helicopter landing pad was going to be constructed in the Ehalakanuwa area in the Sri Pada world heritage site.

Sajeewa Chamikara, Director of ECT expressing his objection to the construction of a helipad alleged that preliminary steps for the construction were to be taken on March 4.

Chamikara said a discussion was held at the Ratnapura divisional secretariat on February 20 with the participation of the Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devalaya in Ratnapura, Sunil Shantha Weerasekara to discuss the construction of the helicopter landing pad.

He said the second meeting regarding the construction was to be held in Colombo on February 26 and added that the move was not in line with the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance.

“The heli pad is to be constructed to land helicopters of VIPs who visit Sri Pada. However the Sri Pada ecosystem is very sensitive and it is also recognised as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. Sri Pada is the only area where a large region of virgin tropical forest still exists. It is the only place where 33 endemic birds could be found and a large number of species which are yet to be scientifically identified reside in this site.

The noise pollution and the construction activities would surely affect the habitat of Sri Pada” he pointed out.

He urged the authorities and the director of the department of wildlife conservation to immediately look into the issue as it would endanger the whole eco system of Sri Pada. (Sarasi Paranamanna)