Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
Wednesday, 14 January 2026 06:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Amber Adventures Ltd. has written to the Board of Investment (BOI) warning that about $ 3.5 million already invested in the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project is at risk following what it describes as unlawful regulatory interference, and has formally sought urgent intervention.
In an urgent notice to the BOI, the company said: “Recent arbitrary action by Government authorities threatens the viability of the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project.”
Amber Adventures said the Central Environmental Authority had suspended development activities by letter dated 9 January 2026, citing unreported complaints and social media content pending a site inspection by state officials. The company maintains that the suspension lacks a lawful basis.
Amber Adventures said the project had secured approvals from a wide range of State agencies, including the Central Environmental Authority, Urban Development Authority, National Building Research Organisation, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Road Development Authority, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Ceylon Electricity Board, Civil Aviation Authority, the relevant local authorities, the Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Board of Investment.
The company said the total approved investment for the two-phase project is $ 12.75 million, of which approximately $ 3.5 million has already been deployed. Referring to the timing of the investment, it said: “This investment was secured during the height of the economic crisis in 2022, a time when investor confidence was at a historic low.”
The project is structured as a public-private partnership under a build-operate-transfer model, with the investor bearing all financial, technical, and project risks. Under the agreement, the cable car system, valued at over Rs. 5 billion upon completion, is to be transferred to the Government free of charge after a 13-year term. The company warned: “By obstructing this project, the Government is jeopardising a future state asset and denying the public a risk-free economic gain.”
Addressing environmental claims, Amber Adventures rejected allegations that construction had triggered landslides. “There are no landslides whatsoever at any of our three construction sites,” the company said, noting that the National Building Research Organisation had confirmed site stability following Cyclone Ditwah.
The company also cited a 2024 Court of Appeal ruling that reprimanded a local official for obstructing the project, finding the conduct to be mala fide and ordering the official to pay personal costs of Rs. 100,000.
Warning that continued obstruction could force a halt to the project, Amber Adventures said it is now assessing investment recovery options.
“We reserve our rights in law to vindicate our rights, including seeking restitution of investment,” the company said, adding that it is evaluating legal avenues to recover sunk costs, financial losses, and damages.
Amber Adventures urged the BOI to intervene immediately, warning that prolonged uncertainty undermines investor protection and regulatory certainty.
