Petition filed against destruction in Sinharaja Buffer Zone

COLOMBO (News 1st); A writ application was filed with the Court of Appeal to issue an order on authorities to take legal action against the illegal activity taking place by clearing the Buffer Zones surrounding the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, which is National Heritage Site.

The illegal activity includes unauthorized cultivation & construction, and the writ application was filed by the Centre For Environmental Justice and its Executive Director Hemantha Vithanage on Wednesday (28). The petitioners informed the Court of Appeal that the illegal activity carried out by various parties causes harm to the bio-diversity within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Buffer Zone as well as to the wild animals living in the area, including wild elephants. The Minister-in-charge of Wildlife, the Secretary to the said Ministry, the Director-General of Wildlife, the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, and the Attorney General were named as respondents in the application.