- Construction paused until environmental impact assessment completed
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has instructed that all construction activities related to the proposed Jaffna International Cricket Stadium and Sports Complex on Mandaitivu Island be halted until the environmental approval process is completed.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (22), CEA Director General Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha said the Authority had issued a Project Outline Report (POR) to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure.
He explained the POR was issued after the Forest Conservation Department confirmed the 48-acre land allocated for the stadium does not fall within a protected forest area. However, the project cannot proceed until SLC submits a completed environmental assessment evaluating the project’s potential ecological impacts.
"The CEA would only decide on granting approval once SLC evaluates the environmental impact and submits the relevant reports to us. Until then, all ground-level activities will remain suspended." he said.
Rajapaksha noted that complaints had been received alleging that construction work had commenced at the site although SLC is yet to submit environmental impact-related reports. "Following these reports, the CEA’s Jaffna office was instructed to conduct inspections. Officials reported that although no construction activities were underway, certain earthworks had taken place."
"Under the provisions of the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, projects requiring environmental clearance can not proceed without approval. Accordingly, SLC was formally instructed on 18 February to halt any ongoing work, as continuing activities would constitute a violation of the law," he said, and added that if project proponents fail to comply with directives, the CEA may issue legal notices ordering the suspension of work, failing which legal action could follow within a stipulated period.
The development has drawn increased attention after the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Sri Lanka (WNPS) recently called for the immediate suspension of the project, alleging that construction had begun without mandatory environmental approvals required under the National Environmental Act.