The Environment Ministry revealed that ninety percent of constructions around the Bolgoda Lake are illegal and have not obtained necessary authorisation from the Central Environment Authority.
The Ministry further said that even constructions that have obtained authorisation have not met proper recommendations.
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently paid a visit to inspect the illegal constructions around the Bolgoda Lake and to observe destructive methods of disposing garbage that harm the water bodies.
Most of the constructions around the Bolgoda river are constructed targeting the tourism industry and ninety percent of them had failed to obtain authorisation.
Thirty-five such illegal constructions were identified during the visit and the environmentalists pointed out to the Minister that there are several more illegal constructions around the Bolgoda Lake.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera stated that the National Environment Act (NEA) will be amended soon to increase the fine and jail-term imposed for illegal constructions.
The Minister also added that the relevant amendments to be done in the NEA have been submitted to the Attorney General for his observation.
Accordingly, the Minister said the fine will be increased from Rs.100,000 to Rs. One Million.
As the provisions of the NEA is not amended in a timely manner, many people are harming the environment and pursuing their own personal objectives.
The Minister also added that majority of those who harm the environment are not poor people but wealthy businessmen and as a society, we must detest the activities that are being carried out by destroying the environment.
