News

CEJ now takes aim at proposed forest rape by the state

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/1

Sahan Weerasooriya

By Ifham Nizam

Fresh from their victory in fighting the destruction of Kallaru Reserve Forest in the Court of Appeal,

Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Hemantha Withanage this week filed a new writ application in the CA through their lawyers, against a government decision to revive the `Other State Forest’ from the preview of the Forest Department and handover the `other forests’ to District and Division Secretariat.

Attorney-at-Law, Ravindranath Dabare yesterday said Circulars No. 05/2001 and No. 02/2006 dated 10.08.2001 and 17.05. 2006 that had been revoked by way of Circular MWFC/1/2020 dated 04.11.2020 titled `Government residual Forest Management’ by Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation with immediate effect.

He had no authority under the Forest Conservation Ordinance or any other written law to issue such a circular, Dabare said.

“We seek Writ of Mandamus and Certiorari against the respondents- the Secretary of Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, Conservator General of Forests, the Secretary of Ministry of Environment and the Attorney General under Article 140 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” he said.

The CEJ legal team also stated that “Other State Forests” had been under the purview of District or Divisional Secretariats and Government agents before the issuance of the Circular No. 05/2001, which was intended to prevent the alienation of those forest areas and the destruction fauna and flora.

Many forest lands have been grabbed around the country, in Pollebadda,-Mahaoya, Lahugala, Nilgala and many other areas because of the current circular. These forests link reserve forests with national parks and are serve as corridors for animals. The absence of these Other State Forests will lead to National Parks and Forest Reserves being isolated and fragmented, according to CEJ..

The CEJ said that it was one of the main causes for the Human – Elephant Conflict in the country.

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News

Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

News

Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

News

Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.