Abstract:
The objective of an environment impact assessment (EIA) is to ensure that the
development options under consideration are environmentally sound and sustainable and
environmental consequences are recognized and taken in to account early in the project
design. A number of EIA reports related to transport sector projects have been prepared
during the last 15 years in Sri Lanka. A careful evaluation of these reports clearly indicate
that majority of them have not fulfilled the objectives of an EIA even though they appear
to satisfy the terms of reference (TOR) given by the project approving agency.
