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Govt. officials form association for environment 

29 Mar 2021

Officials representing the Department of Forest Conservation, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) formed a new collective association on Saturday (27) in an effort to protect the environment, called the “The Collective Government Unions for the Environment”. Speaking to The Morning following the launch of the Collective, founding member and famed Gampaha Division Forest Officer Devani Jayathilake said that the Collective aims to raise a voice against the destruction of the environment, as there are already many organisations representing the interests of the people.  At a press conference held on Saturday (27), Jayathilake claimed that policy problems were the main cause of environmental damage.  “We need to formulate a proper land policy where sensitive areas, protected areas and elephant corridors are correctly identified. The remaining land can then be used for other purposes such as development activities,” said Jayathilake.  Jayathilake raised her voice last month in a bid to protect the endangered Crudia Zeylanica tree from being cut down during the construction of the Meerigama stretch of Central Expressway, which even led to reports that authorities were considering disciplinary action against her. A tense situation also arose early in 2020 when Jayathilake confronted then State Minister Sanath Nishantha who wanted to clear a protected area with mangroves for the construction of a playground.  The Morning also reported earlier this month that wildlife officers were unhappy following the misinterpretation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s remarks at “Gama Samaga Pilisandarak” programmes which led to confusion regarding environmental protection laws among the general public.  However, despite this history, Jayathilake stressed that this collective has been formed to support the government in protecting the environment and not to oppose or clash with its plans.


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