Ambuluwawa cable car to resume if no environmental damage found: Minister

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi engaged in an observation tour of the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex yesterday to assess the current status of the proposed development projects, including the controversial cable car initiative.   

The visit comes in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah’ which led to the temporary suspension of several construction projects, including the cable car project, in the area due to environmental and safety concerns.   

During the inspection, Minister Patabendi addressed the logistical challenges hindering the progress of the site’s development.   

It was revealed that there is a land dispute involving the surveying of approximately 95 hectares of land, and that accurate surveying has been delayed since 2021 due to funding and procedural issues.   

The Minister said that the Ambuluwawa Cable Car project will be allowed to resume if it is confirmed that there is no environmental damage.   

The Minister said that without a proper survey and clear demarcation of the land, it is impossible to proceed with implementation. He assured that further discussions would be held with the Central Environmental Authority and other relevant institutions such as NBRO to resolve these matters. Patabendi clarified that the government’s intervention and the temporary suspension of construction were not intended to sabotage the investment or finding fault with the cable car project, but to ensuring all procedures are correct.   

Responding to allegations regarding the environmental impact of the project, MP Anuradha Jayarathna, who was present during the tour, strongly refuted claims that the cable car project contributed to landslides in the area.   

Speaking to the media, he said that certain groups had attempted to build a false narrative suggesting the entire Ambuluwawa mountain had collapsed due to the cable car construction.   

“I believe the Minister was able to clearly see the reality today,” Jayarathna said. “A cable car travels primarily through the air, and its infrastructure connects to the ground at only three specific points. The Minister could observe that no landslides have occurred at any of these three construction sites.” He further said the resilience of the location, pointing out that while many surrounding mountains suffered landslides during the recent ‘Ditwah’ cyclone, the Ambuluwawa mountain itself remained stable without any such issues.   

He also mentioned that the site had successfully increased its annual revenue to 280 million rupees before the recent disruptions.