Kandy court stops construction of building in protected area of Hakkinda

Kandy's Additional Magistrate has issued an interim injunction to stop the construction of a building coming up on the banks of Mahaweli in the environmentally protected area of Hakkinda.

This follows a petition by the Central Environmental Authority, against Udeni Fernando who is allegedly constructing the building, for violating the National Environmental Act under section 24(2) of 2000/53 and 1988/86.

Hakkinda was gazetted as a protected area in 2017.

The Kandy Lawyers Environmental Forum President Shantha Ratnayake PC told Court that they would submit an intervening petition in this case.