As in previous years, the Foundation requests all pilgrims to avoid bringing plastic water bottles to the sacred mountain.

Meanwhile, authorities have completely banned plastic water bottles during this pilgrimage season. Shops selling water along the Sri Pada route will only be allowed to sell larger refillable water bottles, priced higher than normal, to reduce plastic waste.

The Central Environmental Authority said shop owners must also take proper steps to collect and prevent plastic bottle disposal inside the Sri Pada reserve.

According to officials, the NBRO has instructed authorities to move people to safer locations as heavy rains continue across the district.
Fourteen out of fifteen Divisional Secretariat areas have been affected. In Kalukelle alone, 129 people from 50 families were moved to safety because an active landslide was detected.

📌 If you are a traveller, please avoid these risky areas completely.
The situation is still dangerous, and unnecessary travel can put your life—and the lives of rescuers—at risk.

Many of the beautiful mountain areas have suffered severe damage. We must give nature time to heal.
So please, don’t attempt to visit or explore these places until authorities confirm they are safe again.

As responsible travellers, let’s respect the environment and help protect the lives of the people living in these regions. Stay safe. 🌧️🙏

While the road and the surrounding area have suffered damage, Riverston’s natural beauty will recover in time. For now, all we can do is wait patiently and allow nature to heal.

Travellers are strongly advised not to visit Riverston until the area is fully restored and officially declared safe.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has conducted an inspection in the Sripada area following the landslides reported soon after the start of the 2025/26 Sripada pilgrimage season.
Their findings show serious ground instability along parts of the Hatton access route, particularly near the Mahagiri Damba section.

NBRO has issued the following advisory and technical recommendations:

🧭 NBRO Observations & Recommendations

A special NBRO expert team visited the site on 02 December 2025 to assess the unstable slope conditions. Based on their initial observations, they recommend the following actions to reduce immediate risk:

1. Rebuild damaged steps and unstable sections using concrete or random rubble masonry. These structures should be securely anchored to the bedrock with dowels.

2. Construct side retaining walls (approx. 300 mm high) along both sides of the steps to prevent water from flowing into the collapsed section.

3. Seal all cracks in unstable rock surfaces using a cement mixture to prevent further movement.

4. Build a 500 mm high retaining wall on the lower side of the path to stop soil erosion and water flow across the trail.

5. Carefully remove overhanging plants, shrubs, and loose soil located above the collapsed section.

6. Remove unstable vegetation and loose material on both sides of the landslide area.

🚷 Public Advisory

NBRO strongly advises that pilgrims should not use the Hatton access route until these risk-reduction measures are completed.

However, limited access may be allowed only for:

• Essential services

• Important religious rituals (such as carrying sacred items)

Such movements should happen with proper lighting at night and with extreme caution due to ongoing slope instability.

Once the recommended stabilisation work is completed, the Hatton route will be reopened for normal pilgrim use.

Source:
Sabaragamuwa Provincial Governor’s Official Facebook Page