News
CEJ, threatened with lawsuit, says it exercised constitutional rights to protect environment
By Ifham Nizam
Sakura Energy (private) Limited has sent a letter of demand threatening a Strategic Litigations Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit against the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its Board of Directors, stating that CEJ actions taken against converting Athwelthota water fall to a mini hydro power project has led to the company suffering loses.
The company demands rupees one billion seventy-eight million and two hundred and seventy two thousand (Rs. 1,078,272,000) within 14 days.
CEJ has, however, denied the contents as well as the demands contained in the said letter of demand. CEJ assert that it practised the constitutional rights to the freedom of expression (Art 14(a) of the Sri Lankan Constitution); and citizens have an inalienable right under the law to petition the government and its agencies as regards grievances, seeking remedies.
“We invite the citizens of Sri Lanka to join hands to resist such abhorrent attempts to limit the exercise of the constitutional rights including the right to freedom of expression,” said CEJ Executive Director Dilena Pathragoda
The dispute is over a famous waterfall located in the Athwelthota Ganga. It is known as Athwelthota waterfall, which is a scenic location in the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat division. It is an ecological hotspot, where two critically endangered, 10 endangered, two vulnerable and four nearly threatened fish species are found.
The CEJ says it will respond to the LoD soon.
CEJ opposed the dam project together with the local communities and the conservation movement in Sri Lanka to protect the waterfall and its irreplaceable value of biodiversity for the future generations.
News
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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