Cyclone Ditwah Destroys 34% of Hill Country Forests; 7 Major River Basins Impacted

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Environment says that 34% of the country's hill country forest systems have been damaged due to landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi says that this was revealed in the preliminary report of the committee appointed to investigate the environmental damage caused by the cyclone. 

The Minister added that the report, prepared by the committee headed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, was handed over to him the day before yesterday.

Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi also stressed that the ecosystems of seven major river basins in the country have also been damaged by the disaster.

He noted that the relevant report has also revealed information regarding the damage caused to the country's coastal and lagoon environments.