- Minister vows strict action
- Objections within Government
By Sarah Hannan
The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation instructed the Chilaw Magistrate to take strict action against the perpetrators who are remanded over the clearance of the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary that took place on 25 August.
The clearance of this Ramsar Convention-protected wetland came to light when area residents informed Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) officials about the destruction. The DWC then promptly took steps to lodge a complaint with the district court so as to obtain a search warrant and take the perpetrators into custody.
Meanwhile, the incident was brought to light at the second sitting of the Ninth Parliament by Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa, who opined that regardless of whether the perpetrators are linked to the incumbent Government or to any other party, strict action has to be taken against them.
It is speculated that the land clearance was done in order to set up an inland aquaculture farm to cultivate shrimps, although the true reasons for the clearance are yet to be unearthed.
The Sunday Morning contacted Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation C.B. Rathnayake to inquire about what he, as the subject minister, did to handle this issue.
Responding to our query, Rathnayake noted: “Regardless of the perpetrators’ political or social status, I have given clear instructions to the Magistrate that no room should be left for the perpetrators to go unpunished. I will put an end to the long-term destruction that has been happening in numerous locations.
“No room will be left for anyone to bypass the processes when doing any type of development work in sensitive environments which can potentially endanger the ecosystem and threaten the existence of animals and forests.”
Rathnayake further noted that since court action is filed against the perpetrators, once all connected persons are identified, strict action will be taken against them.
Earlier last week, a five-member committee headed by Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Secretary M.K. Bandula Harischandra was appointed by the Minister to further study the incident of clearing approximately 0.697 hectares at the Ramsar Convention-recognised wetland sanctuary in Anawilundawa, Mundalama.
The backhoe loader used by the suspect was also taken into custody by the Police.
On the evening of 28 August, a person, who was supposedly the backhoe operator, was arrested by the Puttalam Police along with the backhoe loader in Mundalama.
Upon questioning the suspect, the Police were able to uncover a lead to the whereabouts of a 35-year-old businessman named Nishantha Fernando.
Suspected to be involved in clearing the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, both persons were produced before the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court on 29 August, after which they were arrested and remanded until 4 September. Subsequently, following proceedings on Friday (4), the suspects were further remanded until 18 September.
Complaint lodged by DWC
DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said the Department lodged a complaint with the district court on 26 August against the wilful destruction of a portion of the sanctuary that took place on the evening of 25 August.
“The initial observations suggest that the area was cleared to set up prawn farms. However, further investigations are now being carried out to trace the perpetrators behind this,” Sooriyabandara told
The Sunday Morning.
Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Secretary Harischandra, on 28 August, said that 0.697 hectares had been illegally cleared in the Anawilundawa Sanctuary with the use of heavy machinery.
Sooriyabandara noted that charges would be filed under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and that the incident itself is considered a criminal act against the many species of birds, reptiles, fish, etc. that inhabit these wetlands.
This sudden clearance of a section of the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary has put the present Government in a fix, with yet another alleged incident of environmental destruction under the orders of a supposedly influential area politician being pinned on it.
Major setback for tourism
Following the incident, with environmentalists, media, and even Parliament itself taking the matter up for debate, the District Court of Chilaw immediately took up the complaint that was made by the DWC and issued an order to commence investigations.
“The main responsibility here lies with the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority. The agency can issue an order to stop this destruction in accordance with Article 51 of the North Western Province Environmental Statute, and if they do not comply, the order will serve as a restraining order through the courts.
“Secondly, the DWC can also act in accordance with Section 7 of the Wildlife Conservation Ordinance,” environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardana told
The Sunday Morning.
Gunawardana pointed out that due to the popularity of this area internationally, it will be a major setback for the country’s tourism industry.
“For all these reasons, this destruction must be stopped immediately. Also, open water areas such as ponds, and prawns and aquaculture will attract aquatic birds. The consequence of this is the destruction of this valuable ecosystem,” Gunawardana claimed.
State and cabinet ministers too have promptly reacted to this issue, with State Minister of Rural and Regional Drinking Water Supply Projects Sanath Nishantha taking measures to suspend the issuance of permits on lands for shrimp farming.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister of Industries Weerawansa opined that no one should misuse the public mandate that appointed the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government with a two-thirds majority, to destroy the environment.
Further investigation into the incident is being carried out by the DWC with the assistance of the Police.
Image courtesy: lakpura LLC
