Cabinet approves to two committees to restore Gregory Lake

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet has approved the appointment of two committees to oversee the conservation, rehabilitation and management of Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya, after studies found its water quality had deteriorated, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Briefing the media on decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Monday, Dr. Jayatissa said a Monitoring and Management Committee, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment, would oversee efforts to improve and sustainably maintain the lake and its catchment area. Gregory Lake and its surrounding area were declared an Environmental Protection Area in 2007 in view of their ecological importance.

A separate officials’ committee, comprising representatives of relevant state institutions, will be established as the Gregory Lake Conservation and Rehabilitation Action Committee.

The decision follows a proposal by the Environment Ministry to set up a coordinated, scientifically based mechanism to maintain the lake’s water quality and environmental sustainability.

Studies by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) found that phosphate, nitrogen and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels in the lake exceed normal water quality levels. BOD measures how much oxygen microorganisms consume in breaking down organic matter in water; high readings indicate organic pollution.

Authorities have attributed the deterioration to silt accumulated over several decades, agricultural runoff carrying fertilisers and pesticides, and wastewater and solid waste entering the lake from urban activities.