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Green Movement opposes settlement in Wilpattu of displaced people
View(s):The Green Movement of Sri Lanka filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal claiming 2,388 hectares of State land in the Wilpattu National Park had unlawfully released for the settlement of displaced Muslims. Citing the Forest Conservator General S. Anura Sathurusinghe, Archaeology Director General Dr. Senarath Dissanayake, Land Commissioner General R.P.R Rajapaksha, Wildlife Conservation Director H.D Rathnayake, the Central Environment Authority, Divisional Secretaries S. Ketheeswaran, M Sriskandakumar and F.C Sathyasothi of Musali, Manthai West and Madhu respectively, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and State Timber Corporation Chairman S. Amarasinghe as respondents, the Green Movement of Sri Lanka instituted this application in the interests of the general public.
The applicant states it learnt that there is vast deforestation in this place belonging to the State as a result of attempting to settle the displaced persons presently staying in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Musali, Manthai and Madhu. It claims that if this settlement is allowed to take place there would be an environmental catastrophe with the destruction of valuable trees and plants and the possibility of elephant-human encounters.
Therefore the Green Movement of Sri Lanka is requesting Court to prevent the building of houses for settlement so that the forest lands are preserved and protected, while an alternative solution is found for the settlement of the displaced Muslims.