A writ petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) seeking an order to quash the clearing of the Wilpattu National Park forest to construct houses was yesterday fixed for judgement by the Court of Appeal. The two-judge-bench comprising Court of Appeal President, Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Arjuna Obeysekara fixed petition for judgment on September 28.
The CEJ had filed this writ petition naming Conservator General of Forest Conservation Department, Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Wildlife Department Director General, Commissioner General of Lands, Commissioner General of Archaeology, Mannar District Secretary, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Environment and Mahaweli Development Minister and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner stated that a vast area of over 2,000 hectares in the forest adjoining the Wilpattu National Park (Northern Sanctuary of Wilpattu National Park and Maraichukkaddi and the Karadikkuli Reserved Forest stands west of Wilpattu blocks II and IV) had been cleared, divided into plots, paved roads and settlements established causing irreparable damage to the environment, the eco-system and wildlife habitats.
The CEJ stated that over 1000 hectares of forest in the Madhu, Periyamadu and Sannara area which is part of the forest complex (Madhu Road Sanctuary and Madhu road reserved forests) had been similarly destroyed for settlements.
Petitioner has information that the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathuideen has been involved in mobilizing deforestation of these forest reserves and establishing of settlement under the pretext of resettlement of internally displaced people (IDPs).
The petitioner further sought an order in the nature of Mandamus ordering the 1st Respondent to take action against the illegal removal of forest cover, and Re-instate the forest lands to the forest reserve and organise forest replanting programme under and in terms of the provisions of the Forest Ordinance No.16 of 1907.
Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioner.
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