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Thera sends letter of demand to top officials on ‘Environmental destruction’

22 Feb 2021

  • Ven. Elle Gunawansha holds them responsible

  A letter of demand has been sent by the Jathika Sampath Surakima Chairman Ven. Elle Gunawansha Thera to two top officials appointed to protect the environment, holding them responsible for the alleged environmental destruction taking place in the country today. The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Director General (DG) Chandana Sooriyabandara and the Conservator General of the Forest Conservation Department K.M.A. Bandara are the two officials to whom the letter of demand was addressed. Speaking to The Morning, Gunawansha Thera said that the letter had been sent since the DWC DG and the Conservator General of Forests have proved unable to protect the environment before destruction occurs, although it is their official responsibility to do so. As such, Gunawansha Thera said that they hope to take legal action against the officials in the coming weeks. Specifically, Gunawansha Thera alleged that if the officials have been unable to carry out their responsibilities as stated in the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance, No. 16 of 1937, then Sections 112 (concealing a design to commit an offence which it is his duty to prevent), and 289 (willful omission of statutory duty) of the Penal Code, along with Clause 70 (willful neglect to carry out direction of, or obstruction of, investigating officer, & c.) of the Bribery Act could be used to take legal action against them.  Gunawansha Thero said that many alleged incidents of environmental harm in the recent past have prompted this action. When contacted by The Morning, DWC DG Sooriyabandara said that he had not received the letter yet. However, all attempts to contact the Conservator General of Forests proved futile.  


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