Sri Lanka Army has taken action to repair the Raja Mawatha footpath, popularly trekked by Buddhists, Hindus and Moors alike during Sri Pada season.

The foot path, said to have been made centuries ago during the reign of King Nissanka Malla was covered with wild bushes and creepers as time advanced. All treads and stair risers along the path were damaged, owing to lack of maintenance.

Sri Lanka Army engineers commenced the initial phase of the Raja Mawatha footpath project on 24th January 2003. Covering a patch of 3.26 km, they restored 3647 stairs by end of December 2004. The project was suspended on 26th December 2004 for emergency requirements in the aftermath of the Tsunami.

Work recommenced under Phase II and completed a further stretch of 1.68 km restoring 2376 stairs. To-date 6023 stairs have been restored which is a patch of around 4.95 km, out of the entire distance of 7.76 km.