As both a developing nation and a biodiversity hotspot, Sri Lanka has to tread a delicate balance between conservation and development. The recent decision to degazette portions of the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve has caused grave concern, further damaging this delicate equilibrium, serving neither our economy nor our environment.

Established as Sri Lanka's third largest marine protected area, spanning 29,180 hectares, the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve is not merely a strip of land but a vital ecosystem and lifeline for numerous species and communities alike. From the critically endangered dugong, to a diversity of fish and species of shellfish, the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve nurtures biodiversity crucial for sustaining our coastal communities and marine life. The designation of the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve as a national Reserve in 2016 was a testament to its ecological significance, and viewed as evidence of Sri Lanka’s serious commitment to protecting its environment.

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