New Bench to Hear Rishad's Appeal on Wilpattu Case

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Supreme Court judge today withdrew from hearing an appeal filed by former minister Rishad Bathiudeen against a judgment in a case related to the clearing of reserved forest land adjacent to the Wilpattu Wildlife Sanctuary for resettlement purposes.

The appeal was taken up before a three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz informed the court that he was withdrawing from hearing the appeal due to personal reasons.

Following the recusal, the Supreme Court bench ordered that the appeal be called for hearing before a differently constituted bench on September 9.

The appeal challenges a judgment delivered in a case filed against the clearing of reserved forest areas near the Wilpattu Wildlife Sanctuary for the purpose of resettlement.