Danger of landslide on Sri Pada route

By Ajithlal Shanthaudaya

The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) that carried out an inspection of the delicate situation at Mahagiridambe in the Hatton Sri Pada pilgrim route has recommended to restrict the movement of pilgrims through the affected location.   

A senior official of the NBRO said a part of the pilgrim route at Mahagiridambe had developed signs of a possible landslide owing to the heavy rain experienced recently. He said a team of NBRO officials on December 02 carried out an inspection of the location prior to the commencement of Sri Pada pilgrim season  

They have recommended to reinforce the affected location with random rubble masonry and to join it to the rock bed with dowel. The other recommendation is to erect a sidewall to a height of 300mm on either side of the flight of steps to prevent flow of water into the affected area. They have further recommended to erect a sidewall to a height of 500mm to prevent the flow of waste matter across the path.   

The inspection team has recommended to restrict the movement of pilgrims through the affected area until these requirements were fulfilled.  

However, Chief Incumbent of Sri Padasthana Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammdinna Thera said only a garbage collection at the location had been drifted away by storm water during heavy rain experienced recently.