The Ministry of Environment has introduced new regulations aimed at protecting Nildiya Pokuna, located within the Ravana Ella Sanctuary, and ensuring its long-term conservation.
Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi signed the relevant Extraordinary Gazette notification today (09), establishing restrictions on activities by visitors to the site.
Under the regulations, anyone entering the Ravana Ella Sanctuary to visit Nildiya Pokuna must comply with the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, orders issued under the legislation and safety guidelines issued by the Director-General of Wildlife Conservation.
A number of activities within the cave have now been prohibited.
Visitors will not be allowed to enter the waters of Nildiya Pokuna or dispose of waste and other refuse in the pool. The introduction of detergents, chemicals or any other substances into the water is also prohibited.
The regulations further ban loud noises, musical instruments and the use of sound-amplifying or other noise-producing equipment inside the cave.
Lighting fires or using open flames, smoking, and consuming alcohol or illicit drugs are also prohibited.
Visitors are additionally barred from moving stones, damaging or altering rock formations, or making marks, drawings or inscriptions on the cave walls and rocks.
The Ministry said the new measures are intended to reduce human impact on the fragile ecosystem while improving safety for visitors.
According to the Ministry, the regulations form part of broader conservation efforts to ensure that Nildiya Pokuna and its surrounding environment are protected and sustainably managed for future generations.
Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody, Ministry Secretary K. R. Uduwawala, Additional Secretary (Policy, Legal Reforms and Parliamentary Affairs) Bhuwaneka Herath, Director General of Wildlife Conservation Ranjan Marasinghe, Additional Secretary Manjula Amararathna and other Ministry officials attended the signing of the Gazette notification.
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