News
Government rescinds previous gazette on Wedithalathivu Nature Reserve boundaries
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
In a major victory for environmental conservationists, the government has published a gazette rescinding a May 2024 extraordinary gazette which had changed the boundaries of the Wedithalathivu Nature Reserve, the Supreme Court was informed this week.
On January 19, the Attorney General notified a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Janak De Silva and Justice Gihan Kulatunga that the impugned gazette was officially rescinded by Gazette No. 2463/47 dated 21.11.2025.
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) had filed a fundamental rights application in June 2024 challenging the legality of the 2024 gazette which demarcated land within the Wedithalathivu Nature Reserve for aquaculture activities. It challenged the gazette citing environmental harm and procedural irregularity, and emphasizing the ecological importance of the reserve’s mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds that support biodiversity and local communities.
On June 27, 2024, the Supreme Court issued an interim order staying the operation of the impugned gazette and directed all respondents to maintain the status quo. During subsequent proceedings, the Attorney General, representing the State, informed the Court that the Cabinet had decided to revoke the gazette.
After the AG informed the SC on Monday that the gazette had been rescinded, and as the relief sought had been achieved, the petitioner withdrew the fundamental rights application.
WNPS was represented by President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, with Attorneys-at-Law Dilumi de Alwis, Revan Weerasinghe, and Rukshan Senadheera, instructed by S W Amila Kumara.
Senior State Counsel Sabrina Ahmed with Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena appeared for the Attorney General.
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