News
Environment Minister orders Puttalam police to take action against destroyers of mangroves
By Ifham Nizam
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Puttalam Police to take action against those who have destroyed the mangrove at Pulidiwal in Mundalama.
The Minister did so after he was informed that two acres of mangrove forest had been cleared for a prawn farm.
Amaraweera directed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Mundalama Divisional Secretary to investigate the matter and submit a report.
The Environment Minister has been informed that the land was a private property belonging to an individual and the relevant authorities confirmed that he had destroyed the ecosystem claiming that it was done to set up a prawn farm.
Amaraweera, on Wednesday night, telephoned the HQI of the Puttalam Police Station to inquire what action he has taken.
The Minister also said that it was due to the inefficiency and negligence of some officials that such illegal activities were taking place countrywide.
Amaraweera said the government officials such as Grama Niladharis, Divisional Secretaries, Environment Officers, Development Officers and Agrarian service officers also working there had to get tough with those who harmed the environment and institute legal action against them.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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