Court Blocks Move to Remove Vidattaltivu Reserve's Protected Status

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Supreme Court issued an order today, preventing the enforcement of the gazette notification issued by the Minister of Wildlife, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, which removed the protected status of a section of the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve.

The Supreme Court issued this order in response to two fundamental rights petitions filed by several environmental organizations.

The Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve, located in the Manthai West Divisional Secretariat of Mannar, is a vital mangrove and bird sanctuary known for its rich biodiversity.

On May 6th, the Minister of Wildlife, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, issued a gazette notification releasing 400 acres of this highly sensitive environmental zone from its protected status.

Although the gazette did not specify the reasons for this decision, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda later stated that the land was released to facilitate Shrimp and Sea Cucumber farming.

However, this move faced immediate opposition from environmental organizations and activists.

Two of these organizations subsequently filed fundamental rights petitions with the Supreme Court challenging the gazette notification.

The petitions were heard by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Shiran Gunaratne, and Achala Wengappuli.

The bench granted leave to proceed with the petitions and issued an interim order preventing the implementation of the gazette notification until the conclusion of the case.

The petitioners argued that removing a significant portion of the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve from its protected status would cause substantial environmental harm.

They highlighted the potential damage to the aquatic ecosystem, the region's environmental balance, and the overall ecological system.

Respondents named in the petitions include the Minister of Wildlife Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Environment Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the Attorney General, among others.

Representing the petitioners, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, along with Attorney-at-Law Nilshantha Sirimanna and a group of attorneys, appeared in court.