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Wildlife and Nature Protection Society goes to court over “unlawful act”

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/9

Wedithalthivu

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) has initiated a pivotal court action against the Minister of Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation. The legal challenge is a response to the Minister’s recent and controversial decision to modify the boundaries of the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve, as documented in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2383/05, dated May 6, 2024, which, effectively disestablishing a portion of this protected area.

“The WNPS contends that this action is wrongful, illegal, and unlawful, threatening to undermine decades of conservation efforts,” a news release said.

In the Petition filed before the Supreme Court, WNPS has submitted that the impugned Gazette indicates that the area specified in its appendix will no longer be designated as part of the Reserve but the appendix has not been made available to the public, creating ambiguity about the exact land extent and the boundaries affected. They allege that this lack of transparency has left both the WNPS and the general public in the dark regarding the precise details of the disestablishment.

Explaining the historical Context and Environmental Importance, WNPS has submitted to court that the area now in dispute was identified as critical for protection through the Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka (ISEA-NPSL) conducted between 2009 and 2014 by the Central Environmental Authority and Disaster Management Centre, along with other government departments and experts, which assessment recognized the ecological significance of the region.

Consequently, on March 1, 2016, some 29,180 hectares were designated as the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve through Gazette Extraordinary 1956/13 by the then Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife.

In the Petition filed WNPS argues that the Minister’s sudden decision to alter the Reserve’s boundaries was made without due process and is illegal, unlawful, and ultra vires and that this action breaches the legitimate expectations of the public and ignores prior concerns raised by environmentalists and that the potential consequences include severe environmental and conservation issues.

The Petitioners further allege that between 2018 and 2019, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) had appointed a Technical Expert Committee to study a report by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and that subsequently, at a meeting held with the Technical Expert Committee, DWC, NARA, National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) and the Ministry of Fisheries it had been concluded that parts of the Wedithalathive National Reserve should not be removed.

WNPS further asserts that, to the best of their knowledge, the Minister has not appointed a new Technical Expert Committee after the earlier committee rejected the request for de-gazetting a part of the National Reserve. This failure of the Minister to comply with the requirement under Section 2(5) of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) prior to changing the boundaries of the Wedithalathive National Reserve without conducting a due study to investigate the ecological consequences, as mandated by the FFPO, are in direct contravention of the law.

WNPS has also emphasized in the petition that the Minister of Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation, as the minister in charge of subject of Wildlife has a duty to ensure strict compliance with the FFPO and The failure to adhere to the mandatory procedures prescribed in the FFPO in effect means that the process of changing the boundaries and disestablishing part of the Reserve has not been executed lawfully.

WNPS has also pointed out that the impugned Act of the Minister is in breach of Sri Lanka’s obligations to preserve mangroves and the environment at large.

The WNPS which has a long-standing commitment to advancing the conservation of fauna and flora in Sri Lanka is calling on the government officials, environmentalists, and the general public, to recognize the importance of preserving the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve. This protected area is not just a sanctuary for wildlife but also a vital component of the broader environmental health of the region.

Mr. Sanjeeva Jayawardena Presidents Counsel with Dilumi de Alwis, Revan Weerasinghe and Rukshan Senadheera Attorneys-at-law instructed by S W Amila Kumara are representing WNPS before the Supreme Court.

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Landslide RED warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Ududumbara, Nildadndahinna and Walapane

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/9

Priyan

The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued RED warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours effective from 0900 hrs today [09th January].

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Wilgamuwa in the Matale district, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Badulla, Meegahakiwula, Hali_Ela, Passara and Lunugala in the Badulla district, Minipe in the Kandy district, Ambanganga Korale, Ukuwela, Rattota, Naula and Laggala_Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district.

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A Policy is being formulated to ensure Child Protection in the use of Technology — Prime Minister

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/9

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a policy is currently being formulated to ensure child protection in the use of technology.

The Prime Minister made this statement on Thursday (08) in Kandy while briefing the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters on the issue that has arisen regarding the Grade 6 English module. Thereafter, printed copies of all modules were presented to the Mahanayake Theros.

Earlier on Thursday (08), the Prime Minister visited the Malwathu Viharaya in Kandy and met the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Nayaka Thero, the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter, where she explained the error that had occurred in the first print run of the English module for Grade 6 .

The Mahanayake Theros emphasized that education is a sensitive subject and that such matters should be handled with greater sensitivity and proper oversight. They further advised that a formal investigation should be conducted and that education reforms should be carried forward in a systematic manner.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and met the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, where she clarified the error related to the English module.

The Mahanayake Thero noted that education reforms are a timely necessity and should be implemented with due oversight and careful review and also pointed out that there are broader issues in Sri Lanka regarding the use of technology, which are evident in the manner in which modern tools such as AI technologies are being used on social media.

Clarifying the issue Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated,

“We have appointed a committee to look into this issue, and based on the recommendations of the National Institute of Education (NIE), steps were taken to remove the relevant lesson. In addition, all printed copies of the relevant module have been stamped, and no module has been distributed to schoolchildren. A formal investigation into this matter has been initiated by the Ministry, and a complaint has also been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department.

At the same time, we are in the process of formulating a policy on child protection in the use of technology”.

Thereafter, addressing the media and responding to the’ questions raised by journalists, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Opposition is attempting to use this national task for their own political advantage. However, many in society have expressed their views on the issues that have arisen in a positive manner, with the objective of identifying and correcting mistakes. The government has decided to move forward with education reforms by recognizing the error that have occurred and rectifying them. We will take the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition as an opportunity to further advance dialogue on education reforms”

The occasion was graced by the Most Venerable Anunayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Muruddeniye Dhammarakkhita Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Thero; Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe and Thanura Dissanayake; Mayor of Kandy Chandrasiri Wijenayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and Secretary to the Ceylon Teachers’ Union in Central Province D. D. Wimalaweera.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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The deep depression to the South-east of Sri Lanka is likely to intensify in to a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/9

Priyan

Deep depression Track. (Source: RSMC)

A RED warning for a deep depression to the South-east of Sri Lanka has been issued at 01.00 a.m. on 09 January 2026 for the period until 01.00 a.m. 10 January 2026 by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, of the Department of Meteorology.

The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka (At 01:00 a.m. on Jan 9th, 2026 located about 200 km East of Pottuvil) is very likely to intensify further and move west-northwestwards towards the coast of Sri Lanka between Pottuvil and Trincomalee in the evening today (9th January 2026.) The system is likely to intensify in to a cyclonic storm
during the next 24 hours.

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance.