Vedda Chief Uruwarige Vannila Ettho said that ill-planned development projects and harmful human activities were major factors behind the recent natural disaster that brought widespread sorrow and suffering across the country.
Speaking to the media yesterday, he stressed that humankind is governed by nature and warned that attempts to control or act against nature would inevitably lead to consequences.
He noted that while his own area remained largely unaffected, landslides, rockfalls and floods had caused severe damage in surrounding districts, bringing transport services to a standstill. He also expressed deep concern over the loss of livelihoods among more than 100 families of his clan who depend on tourism, as visitor numbers have completely declined following the disaster.
The Vedda Chief described the devastation caused by cyclones and floods as a severe economic blow, affecting men, women and children alike. He said the destruction of land, fields and human lives was a result of long-term damage inflicted on nature, adding that nature had retaliated to teach humanity a harsh lesson.
He further observed that when nature unleashes its fury, both those who harm the environment and those who protect it become victims. Highlighting the destruction of ancient mountain ranges and virgin forests due to haphazard development, he emphasized that such reckless activities have played a significant role in triggering the present disaster.
