34% of Central Highland forests damaged due to Cyclone Ditwah: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

The Committee appointed to assess environment damage due to the Ditwah cyclone has revealed in its preliminary report that 34 percent of the country’s central highland natural forests have been damaged by the Ditwah cyclone, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabedi said yesterday.  

The Minister told Parliament that a committee comprising nine members appointed to assess environment damage due to the Ditwah cyclone submitted its preliminary report within two weeks and that the committee was authorised to submit a comprehensive report within six months.  

He said according to the preliminary report, the disaster has damaged the ecosystems of river basins which includes Attanagalu Oya, Kelani Ganga and Kalu Ganga in the wet zone while Malwathu Oya, Mahaweli Ganga, Mee Oya and Kala Oya in the dry zone.  

The Minister said highland natural forests in Minipe, Kothmale, Aranayake and in Badulla and Matale districts have been damaged.   

He said Sri Lanka’s coastal belt in Point Pedro, Walikamam North, Kalmunai, Nindavur and Kinniya have been damaged while mangroves in lagoon environments have been damaged in Muthu Panthiya and Arachchikattuwa.