Illegal constructions are to be cleared to provide unhindered access for the ‘Diya Kapeeme Mangallyaya’, (the ‘cutting of water’) on the final night of the Randoli Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera. The ritual is held before dawn at the Getambe Thota of the Mahaweli River. Officials have directed the Central Environmental Authority to clear [...]

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Move to clear access for ritual on final night of Randoli Perahera

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Illegal constructions are to be cleared to provide unhindered access for the ‘Diya Kapeeme Mangallyaya’, (the ‘cutting of water’) on the final night of the Randoli Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera. The ritual is held before dawn at the Getambe Thota of the Mahaweli River.

Officials have directed the Central Environmental Authority to clear and survey all land along the boundary of Mahaweli River and to clear the area on a request made by the chairman of the district committee, Vasantha Yapa Bandara who was formerly the Basnayake Nilame of Dodanwala Natha Devalaya.

Instructions have been issued by the Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to clear the route, and former Diyawadana Nilame, Neranjan Wijeratne, said surveying the Mahaweli in the region of Gannoruwa is welcome.

He said some have built supermarkets on the old route to the ‘water cutting’ site on land donated to the then Mahanayake of Malwatta, Venerable Sirimalwatte Ananda Thera, by then President J.R. Jayawardene.

The head of the Kandy Lawyers Environment Forum, Shantha Ratnayake PC., also welcomed the initiative to clear the eyesores.

The secretary of the Hill Country Conservation Organisation, Amith Senanayake, said he suspects that officials who asked to take action are those who had given permission for illegal constructions.

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