No Chinese firm pulled out from Ambuluwawa cable car project: Cabinet Spokesman

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday clarified that while a Chinese national is among the shareholders of the proposed Ambuluwawa cable car project, no Chinese company pulled out of the venture, amid growing public debate and scrutiny over the development.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he said the Government had taken note of public concerns surrounding the project, but cautioned against narratives that could undermine investor confidence at a critical time for the country’s economic recovery. 

He warned that editorials and opinion pieces discouraging investment risk damaging Sri Lanka’s image as it works to overcome a prolonged economic crisis following multiple shocks.

The Cabinet Spokesman reiterated that the Government remains committed to encouraging investment, while ensuring transparency, accountability and strict adherence to environmental and safety standards.

Dr. Jayatissa explained that the cable car project was offered on 16 June 2023 by the Board of Trustees of the Ambuluwawa Religious Centre and Trust Fund to a private company, Amber Adventures Ltd. 

“The trust was established under Gazette No. 44 of 2009 and is chaired by Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Anuradha Lanka Pradeep Jayarathna. Its board of trustees includes Samaraweera Mudiyanselage Indika Prasad, Godamunne Wedagedara Chandraratne, Sivan Gnanasekaran, Meewature Vajiragnana Thera, M. Asath Sally and J.M. Senanayake Bandara,” he said.

According to the Cabinet Spokesman, the initial Board of Directors of Amber Adventures Ltd comprised one Chinese national Huwan Yupin, together with Samarasinghe Herath Bandula Karunaratne, Jayasekara Mudiyanselage Senanayake Bandara, who also serves as a trustee of the Ambuluwawa Trust, and Suresh Deepal Subasinghe. 

He detailed that Huwan Yupin holds 36 shares in the company, while Jayasekara Mudiyanselage Senanayake Bandara holds 14 shares. Two other private companies hold 16 and 34 shares respectively. 

Dr. Jayatissa stressed that the presence of a Chinese individual shareholder should not be misconstrued as Chinese corporate ownership.

Following the warnings of increased landslide risks in the Central highlands, the Government suspended all development activities in the Ambuluwawa area pending a comprehensive technical evaluation.  

He said concerns had intensified after assessments by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, with preliminary findings indicating that the area is vulnerable to further landslides.

In response, the Environment Ministry has directed that no further development take place until a thorough technical assessment is completed. A technical committee appointed by the Environment Minister is scheduled to conduct a field inspection on 10 February and submit a detailed report thereafter.

“We as a Government believe that a technical evaluation of the site is essential before greenlighting any project. We have a responsibility to protect human lives and the biodiversity,” Dr. Jayatissa said, underscoring that public safety would take precedence over development timelines.

He also acknowledged that in 2024 the Auditor General had issued directives calling for a comprehensive investigation into allegations of corruption and misconduct linked to the project. 

Dr. Jayatissa said further details on the progress of these investigations would be disclosed next week.

Ambuluwawa is a biodiversity complex and Sri Lanka’s first multi-religious sanctuary, located in the central highlands. In 2023, the Board of Investment announced that it had signed an agreement with Amber Adventures Ltd for a $ 4.5 million investment to develop Sri Lanka’s first cable car experience at the site, in collaboration with the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Centre.

According to the BOI, the project was to be constructed with technical and product expertise from the China Machine-Building International Corporation. The planned cable car system spans 1.5 kilometres, with three stations providing entry and exit points, and the route designed to pass through the biodiversity centre’s forest range.

“The Government maintains that while investment is welcome, projects in environmentally sensitive areas such as Ambuluwawa will be subject to rigorous scrutiny to balance development goals with environmental protection and public safety,” Dr. Jayatissa said.