Sri Lanka's Cabinet has endorsed a plan to permit controlled tourism at Nil Diya Pokuna, a rare underground water source in Badulla District, while implementing conservation measures through the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The Cabinet has given approval for tourism activities to resume at Nil Diya Pokuna under a structured regulatory framework overseen by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Located within an underground cave system in the Ravana Ella Sanctuary in Badulla District's Ella Divisional Secretariat, the site is recognized as a distinctive natural resource requiring careful management and protection.
According to Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, a technical committee comprising academic experts and officials from relevant government institutions was established to examine the site and develop recommendations for its sustainable management. Following the committee's findings, regulatory guidelines were drafted to govern visitor activities at the location.
The proposed regulations have undergone legal review and obtained clearance from the Legal Draftsman's office. The Environment Minister subsequently presented the proposal to Cabinet, which approved its publication in the Government Gazette under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
The site has grown increasingly popular with both domestic and international visitors seeking to experience its unique geological characteristics. The new regulatory framework aims to balance tourism access with environmental conservation, ensuring that the Department of Wildlife Conservation can maintain oversight while preserving the natural integrity of this rare underground water source.
