The Muthurajawela wetland is home to 194 fauna and 40 fish species out which 04 are endemic, 14 amphibian species, 31 reptiles, 102 birds, 22 mammals and has an impact on the ecological balance of the country. Regulating flood water, charging the ground water table, filtering toxins, helping the fishers, promoting tourism industry and delivering other ecosystem services are key dividends of its existence. of it. Considering all these factors 1,777 ha land in Muthurajawela has been declared as a sanctuary.
Muthurajawela was in the spotlight last week, as environmental groups opposed plans to build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Power Plant within the perimeter of the sanctuary. A Cabinet Paper approved on September 18, 2018 has paved the way for this turmoil, the groups allege. However, the Government claims the power plant will be constructed on land already filled and set aside for development, on the 45 acres previously set aside for a proposed housing project.
According to the Cabinet decision, the Government has granted approval to the proposal submitted by Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy to enter into a Joint Projects and Shareholders Agreement between Lanka Electricity Board and NTPC Company with respect to 500 MW LNG Power Plant proposed to be established in Kerawalapitiya.
Jayantha Wijesinghe, Convenor of Rain Forest Protectors convened a press conference about the possible environmental impact of the project. According to him, the proposed LNG plant will be constructed within an environmentally sensitive area of 400 acres belonging to the CEA.
“CEA has only around 400 acres which is declared as a sensitive environmental system. However, Muthurajawela has legal protection as a sanctuary for 1,777 ha. Including the buffer zones, Muthurajawela consisted of around 3,220 ha (the entire marsh land). Wildlife Department has 1,777 ha to look after. But they don’t have a single boat to conduct its missions” said Jayantha.
Responding to the allegations, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda condemned the groups.
“People always accuse. It’s the habit of the people in this country” he said.
“This is a place which was refilled years ago. The said land is refilled up to more than 45 acres. It was earlier refilled with the purpose of building a cultural centre and a housing scheme. How can someone say such refilled land is environmentally sensitive?”Dr. Batagoda demanded.
Claims by Jayantha cannot be ignored as there are some legitimate and clear questions.
“We don’t have a problem with an LNG project. Compared to coal, LNG is a good alternative source of power. But our concern is about the site they are going to build this plant. Why Muturajawela? In Sri Lanka most good projects are handled badly. That’s a general issue we face as a country. We are building a Solar Power Plant in Hambantota after clearing a natural habitat of elephants. Though Solar Power is one of the cleanest sources of power, this plant won’t be a sustainable project because we are creating a new conflict,” Jayantha explained.
According to Dr. Batagoda, Kerawalapitiya (which is on the southern tip of the wetland) is the LNG Power Plant Park in the National Power Plan.
“This is our LNG park. The LitroGas terminal, West Coast plant, everything is there. We are planning to build plants expecting a generation of 1200 MW. We have reserved this 110 acres land for LNG. CEA report will be taken soon. This is actually a separate area so there will be no impact on Muthurajawela. According to these people we can’t build wind power plants, solar power plants, anything” he justified the choice of the Muthurajawela area for the LNG plant.
In spite of several attempts made to contact Chandrarathne Pallegama, Chairman of Central Environmental Authority, he was not available for comment.