Wildlife Conservation DG directed to formulate map
Dumping garbage in Muthurajawela Sanctuary Hearing fixed for March 12
The Supreme Court yesterday instructed the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department to formulate a map of the Muthurajawela Sanctuary, taking into consideration the gazette already published in this regard.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Justices Eva Wanasundera and Vijith K. Malalgoda also granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition against the impugned steps to dump garbage in the Muthurajawela sanctuary.
Leave to proceed is granted for the alleged infringement of the fundamental right to equality. The matter is fixed for hearing on March 12.
35 Petitioners who are residents in the close proximity of Muthurajawela Sanctuary cited Colombo Municipal Council, it’s Commissioner, the Urban Development Authority, Central Environment Authority, Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha, Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development, Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, Director General of the Irrigation Department,assistant Divisional Secretary, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Attorney-general as Respondents.
Dr. Sunil Cooray with Keith de Mel appeared for the Petitioners. Senani Dayaratne appeared for the CMC. Gamini Marapana PC with Navin Marapana appeared for the intervenient-petitioners Mel Waththa Property Developer (Pvt) Ltd, P.a.ajith Panditharathna and K.A.DON Anurudha Perera.
The petitioners state that Muthurajawela is a declared sanctuary and the region supports 192 distinct species of flora and 209 distinct species of fauna and another 102 species of birds.
It also consists of large paddy fields amounting to 635 acres, and water canals, marsh lands and mangroves to the extent of 7,000, acres and the forest.
They allege that without considering the protest by petitioners, the Respondents have taken steps to allow vehicles which carry garbage to enter the Muthurajawela Sanctuary without any proper approval, to dump garbage with the assistance of 300 members of the Police and the Special Task Force.