Cracked Boulders Pose Threat to Ella-Wellawaya Highway After Forest Fire

Massive boulders in the Rock Hill forest reserve have developed cracks and are at risk of rolling onto the Ella-Wellawaya main highway following an intense bush fire that raged for over two days.

The Badulla District Disaster Management Unit has urged motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution while traveling through the affected area, warning that the structural integrity of these boulders has been compromised due to the intense heat.

The fire, which ignited on Thursday (13) in the Rawana Ella forest reserve—a highly sensitive ecological zone—rapidly spread across more than 600 acres due to prevailing dry conditions and strong winds. Despite relentless efforts by police, security forces, local authorities, and fire brigades, it took three days to bring the flames under control.

Environmentalists fear that the blaze has caused significant damage to the region’s rich biodiversity, with rare species of flora and fauna likely being lost.

Badulla District Secretary Panduka Sri Prabhath Abeywardene stated that fire gaps were created to contain the spread, while investigations are underway to determine the cause. Authorities suspect human activity may have played a role in igniting the fire.

Meanwhile, Badulla Division DIG Sujith Wedamulla confirmed that police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend any individuals responsible for setting fire to the reserve.

Officials involved in the firefighting efforts noted that helicopters, previously used for aerial water spraying, were not deployed this time. Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe addressed concerns about this decision, stating that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) opted against aerial intervention, citing its ineffectiveness. He explained that a fully fueled helicopter can carry only two buckets of water, with strong winds often causing the spray to miss its target.

“We decided not to use a method that has proven ineffective in the past,” Minister Ranasinghe said.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with concerns remaining over the weakened boulders and their potential risk to commuters.