Now, new road to hotel poses danger to ecologically sensitive Roomassala

By Ifham Nizam

A 20-foot road is to be built shortly in a very environmentally sensitive location leading to a hotel which is also under construction, despite objections by officials, Environmental Scientist at the Centre for Environment Nature Studies (CENS), Dr Ravindra Kariywasam told The Island yesterday.

Wildlife officials had objected to both the hotel and the road, but their objects had been ignored due to political influence, Kariyawasam said. The hotel was being constructed by former President Maithripala Srisena’s brother Dudley, he added.

He warned that the ecologically important Rumassala sanctuary, Unawatuna beach and coral reef of Rumassala would be badly affected by the giant hotel complex.

“From what we know the hotel management plans to release 60% of wastewater after treatment to the sea, on completion of the project. Wastewater treatment is a complicated process and to do this properly costs a lot of money. If the owners release wastewater without proper treatment, it will have a serious impact on the corals and marine creatures, which are a major attraction for tourists.”

The hotel project is registered as the Araliya Beach Hotel Private Limited.

Dudely Sirisena was not immediately available for comment.

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