News
Wetlands destruction: Suspects further remanded; probes continue
The two suspects arrested in connection with the Anawilundawa wetlands destruction have been further remanded.
When the backhoe driver and the businessman were brought before the Chilaw Magistrate on Friday, their plea for bail was rejected as Arachchikattuwa Chief Inspector told court that investigations were still ongoing. The magistrate ordered that the suspects, who were in remand since August 29, be further remanded till September 18.
The Arachchikattuwa Police said they were due to record a statement from a representative of the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA), the authority in charge of issuing permits for prawn farming in Sri Lanka. NAQDA Director General Nimal Chandraratne told the Sunday Times that proof of ownership of land and approval from the provincial environmental authority were mandatory conditions under which shrimp farming permits were issued. “Therefore it is highly unlikely that this operation would have been done with the necessary legal documentation,” he said.
Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C.B. Ratnayake reiterated this week that under no circumstances, a wetland recognised by the Ramsar Convention would be allowed to be exploited.
The Minister is awaiting a report from a special committee investigating the incident. The committee headed by Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry Secretary M. K. Bandula Harischandra was given two weeks to submit its report. Meanwhile, the Wildlife Conservation Department said it would soon begin a programme to replant and repair the mangroves.