The writ petition filed against clearing forest lands surrounding the Wilpattu National Park for resettlement purposes has been fixed for argument by the Appeal Court on January 23.
The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), which petitioned the court, argued that displaced families had been relocated 400 metres from the park, causing massive deforestation in the area.
The Wildlife Department's Director-General, the Central Environmental Authority, the Mannar District Court, former minister Rishad Bathiudeen, and the Attorney General are among the nine respondents cited in the petition.
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No permission to clear forest reserves around Wilpattu ; forestry body informs court
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Update: Five of the twelve passengers on board the bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Maduru Oya today, have succumbed to their injuries, the SLAF said.
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