The Ministry of Environment today firmly denied granting approval for any road construction through the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and assured that it will not support such a project.

Responding to recent media reports, the Ministry clarified in a statement that a proposal for a road had been discussed at a committee meeting held at the Ratnapura District Secretariat, with the aim of boosting tourism.

It further noted that a team from the District Committee had carried out an inspection visit to the area.

However, the Ministry stressed that neither it nor the Wildlife Department had given approval for the proposal and confirmed that no assistance will be extended for the construction of a road through the forest.