News

Pavithra’s gazette on Vidataltivu Nature Reserve to be reviewed

Published

4 weeks ago

November 13, 2024

editor

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that the new government intends to review the Extraordinary Gazette notification issued by former Wildlife Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, which altered the boundaries of the Vidataltivu Nature Reserve to facilitate an aquaculture project.

Deputy Solicitor General Fazly Razick, representing the Attorney General, made these remarks in connection with two Fundamental Rights petitions filed by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka and the Environment Foundation. These petitions were heard before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, and Janak De Silva.

Previously, the Supreme Court had issued an interim order suspending the operation of the Extraordinary Gazette issued by Minister Wanniarachchi, which modified the boundaries of the Vidataltivu Nature Reserve for an aquaculture project. This interim order was further extended today till July 29, 2025.

The petitioners are challenging the unlawful acts of the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation by Extraordinary Gazette bearing No. 2383/05 and dated 6th May 2024.

The petitioners stated that this Gazette issued by the subject Minister noted that the area specified in the appendix of the gazette will no longer be designated as part of the Vidataltivu Nature Reserve.

The petitioners further state that the area that formed the Nature Reserve was identified as an area requiring protection by an Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka (hereinafter referred to as ISEA-NPSL) carried out by the Central Environmental Authority and Disaster Management Centre with other government departments and experts between 2009 and 2014 and published in 2014.

They state that Vidataltivu falls under the classification of a “Strict Nature Reserve” declared under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. It is critical for mangroves and fauna including rare species of great biodiversity and crucial ecological significance. Vidataltivu is situated close to the buffer zone near the Wilpattu National Park and the former Minister has de-gazzeted portions of the strict nature reserve to give it to a private company doing shrimp farming.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardana PC with Dilumi de Alwis and Rukshan Senadheera appeared for the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, while Counsel Nilshantha Sirimanne with Deshara Goonetilleke appeared for the Environment Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Faiszer Musthapha’s name gazetted as MP

Published

10 hours ago

December 11, 2024

editor

Former Minister Faiszer Musthapha’s name has been gazetted by the Election Commission as a National List MP of the National Democratic Front.

The NDF contested under the symbol of a Gas Cylinder at the recently concluded General Election.

2414-11_E Download

News

CID ordered to develop program to reimburse ‘Onmax DT’ depositors

Published

10 hours ago

December 11, 2024

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has reported to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that a total of 2,017 complaints have been filed by depositors who claim to have been cheated out of their money after investing in ‘Onmax DT,’ a private firm alleged to have been operating a pyramid scheme.

According to the CID, the total estimated financial losses incurred by the complainants amounts to around Rs. 2.96 billion.

During a hearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage today (11), CID officials disclosed that a total of 865 new complaints have been received since the last hearing, and that additional complaints continue to be received.

Nine suspects, including the directors of Onmax DT, appeared before the court for the hearing. The CID further informed the court that three other suspects remain overseas, and open warrants have been issued for their arrest.

Investigations against the suspects are being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the CID revealed that inquiries into two suspects have been completed and the excerpts of the investigations have been referred to the Attorney General.

Additionally, the CID officials informed the court that properties belonging to the suspected directors have been identified in foreign countries, including Australia, and investigations are being carried out in collaboration with the INTERPOL.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage instructed the CID to immediately develop a program to reimburse the depositors who suffered financial losses.

The court ordered the CID to present an update on the progress of the investigation at the next hearing, scheduled for February 5, 2025.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

New Naval Attaché at Chinese embassy in SL calls on Navy commander (Pics)

Published

11 hours ago

December 11, 2024

editor

The new Naval Attaché at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, Senior Captain Zheng Zhaoping called on Commander of the Navy – Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera at the Navy Headquarters on Dec.10.

During the ensuing meeting, they exchanged views on several matters of bilateral importance, and the cordial discussion drew to a close with an exchange of mementoes, as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation.

Director General Health Services, Rear Admiral Janaka Marambe, Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Director Naval Operations, Commodore Aruna Weerasinghe and Defence Attaché at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, Senior Colonel Zhou Bo were present on this occasion.