Environmental Foundation takes up cudgels against aquaculture park within Nature Reserve

The Foundation which is a Non Profit Environmental grouping, allege that the ecology of the  Nature Reserve  is under threat due to the attempts to establish an aquaculture park within the Reserve. The Wedithalathive Nature Reserve is a defence against climate- change and a marine  breeding ground which sustains the livelihoods of fishing communities

Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited which describes itself as “As a non profit public interest law group,  committed to securing Sri Lanka’s environmental rights” filed a Fundamental Rights application on 5th June  against the order dated 3rs May 2024 published in the Government Gazette.

Extraordinary Notification bearing No. 2383/05 dated 6th May, relates to degazetteing a part of Wedithalathive Nature Reserve. The decision to alter the boundaries of the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve has been mainly due to the mounting pressure exerted by the National Aquatic Development Agency (NAQDA) to establish an aquaculture park within the Reserve. 

Protected areas like the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve are not merely designated and marked , they are our lifelines. The Wedithalathive Nature Reserve, declared under the The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance in 2016, preserves crucial coastal and marine habitats

Protected areas like the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve are not merely designated and marked , they are our lifelines. The Wedithalathive Nature Reserve, declared under the The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance in 2016, preserves crucial coastal and marine habitats. Its range of delicate habitat types acts as our primary defence against climate- change and as important marine breeding ground which  sustains the livelihoods of fishing communities.

When the case came up on 12th November 2024, Nilshantha Sirimanne, Attorney-at-Law, with Deshara Goonetilleke appeared for Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited. Deputy Solicitor General Fazly Razick who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General communicated to the court that the present government wishes to review the decision to degazette the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve. The case was re-fixed for Argument for the 29th July 2025 and the interim order that suspended the operation of the said Government Gazette (Extraordinary) Notification bearing No.2383/05, was extended.