Heavy vehicles have been prohibited from using the road over the Kotmale Dam, the Mahaweli Development Authority (MDA) has announced. 

Nuwara Eliya District MP Manjula Suraweera Arachchi said the MDA also plans to resettle families on 55 hectares of land under its administration.

Addressing rumours about sluice gate operations, MDA Director General H.M.J. Herath said claims about sudden gate openings were false and that engineers act strictly on scientific data.

He made the remarks after inspecting the dam. Herath added that a new method will be introduced to notify the public in advance when sluice gates are opened.