World Heritage Site the Knuckles Range under threat

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Environmentalists continue to allege there are attempts being made to provide lands in the Knuckles forest reserve to investors. Responding to the allegations, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said no investments have been approved to take place in the Knuckles forest reserve.Today News 1st visited the area in question and our cameras captured a totally different reality.  (Watch the video) In 2010, the Knuckles range was  a world heritage site and environmental organisation point out there is an attempt to use these lands for various projects. In order to ensure that Knuckles was named as a World Heritage Site, the then Minister of Environment Faiszer Mustapha rendered a great service. Yesterday (June 7), Minister Lakshman Kiriella challenged that there is no construction taking place in this area in question. In the face of further questions, the minister left the media briefing and we challenge the minister to expose  how approvals were granted for constructions activities to take place in the area.