13 July 2021 12:00 am Views - 113
A writ petition filed challenging the alleged illegal constructions and filling of lands within the Muthurajawela Sanctuary was yesterday (12) fixed for support by the Court of Appeal.
Two-Judge-bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola fixed the petition for support on July 26.
The Court of Appeal made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by Centre for Environmental Justice.
In their petition, Centre for Environmental Justice and its Executive Director Withanage Don Hemantha Ranjith Sisira Kumara named Central Environmental Authority, Minister of Environment, Minister of Wild Life and Forest Conservation and nine others as respondents.
The petitioners are seeking an interim order directing the respondents to stay any further dumping of waste and the filling of lands within the Muthurajawela Sanctuary.
Filing this petition through Counsel Ravindranath Dabare, the petitioners alleged that a land filling racket had been going on for years mainly due to the fact that the said sanctuary was situated at a prime location, in the close vicinity to Port City, highways, other development projects and Colombo. This illegal land filling had become a large-scale racket with the blessings of the politicians and government officials.