EIA THEORIES AND PRACTICE: BALANCING CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN SRI LANKA

This paper presents a study of the performance of the EIA cell of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka as a Project Approving Agency (PAA) according to the provisions of National Environmental Act (Amended) No. 56 of 1988. The study identifies and analyses efficiencies and failures of the EIA cell of the Ministry approving and monitoring 62 projects from the private sector and 30 projects from public sector in balancing concerns of nature and development. As a result recommendations to augment the capacities and efficiencies of EIA cell in approving and monitoring projects are made with reference to analyzing relevant policies, objectives and perceptions of line institutions and project proponents for balanced development.