I will proceed with the project whatsoever: Sanath Nishantha

13 February 2020 08:07 pm - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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State Minister of Inland Fisheries Industry, Sanath Nishantha Perera said yesterday that he would proceed with the project to construct a playground at Kadolkele mangrove in the Negombo lagoon despite objection from the Gampaha District Wildlife Officer.

He told a news conference that the Rs.1000 million project which involved dredging the Negombo lagoon, constructing a playground, roads, bridges and several other programmes had been delayed from 2014 as the Wildlife Department had not supported the initiative.

“I will proceed with the project without cutting down any tree in the mangrove. Rs.1 billion has been allocated for the project of which only Rs.300 million had been spent. None can obstruct the government’s development projects. State officials have been able to act firm like what happened in the case of the Gampaha District Wildlife Officer because there is a President like Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Relevant officials should act carefully when dealing with the fishing community considering their education and background. The Gampaha District Wildlife Officer escaped unhurt as I was there,” he said.

The press briefing was convened after a video containing the footage of the discussion in which several residents in the area verbally clashed with the forest officer asking her to allow the construction of the playground went viral on social media.

The proposal to construct the playground had been withdrawn following the strong stance taken by Gampaha District Forest Officer Devani Jayathilaka at a meeting chaired by State Minister of Inland Fisheries Industry Sanath Nishantha Perera last Monday.(Ajith Siriwardana)

Forest officer sticks to guns, refuses to break the law

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Comments - 32

Devel Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:03 PM

We will see what happens in the end!!!

Hary Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:11 PM

People should barricade them self against this arrogant, self destructive MP. The trees will die a natural death if he goes ahead with his plans.

S.P.Ramkumar Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:12 PM

This real direct threat from minister. He is talking like uneducated follow. I think he never ever respect the law of this land. He is telling about fishiries community. Fishiries communities are well behave citizens of this country. Minister wanted to do his political interest by using community. Political higher ups have to take serious action and sack this type minister.

kumar Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:13 PM

"Wildlife Officer escaped unhurt as I was there". What an Absurd comment by the State Minister!

dickie bird Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:23 PM

An acid test for the President and the Cabinet and the Minister. Thank you Devani the Forest Officer.

Dr Lionel Fernando Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:31 PM

Hats off! to the lady wildlife officer who had the guts to stand up against the poiplitico and his gang. Kadol kalle or the mangrove forest is the lungs of the Negombo lagoon. Currently, the state of affairs pertaining to viability of the beautiful negombo lagoon is almost gone. Streaks oil from boats and free-floating garbage has desecrated the lagoon beyond recovery.Fish, crab, and shrimp population has been decimated and whatever one may catch there taste and smells like kerosine of diesel. Dirty politicos with their paid off henchmen will not hesitate to resort to any means that would further fatten their wallets. Manthri thuma please do not choke the lagoon of oxygen by destroying the mangrove forest.There are are ample other spaces for a play ground for you beloved chidren.

Tony Fernando Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:41 PM

A law maker to break the law. Welcome to judiciary - Sri Lanka.

Jehan Thursday, 13 February 2020 10:58 PM

She will have to hide after election or go to Australia or canada

ChanakaJ Thursday, 13 February 2020 11:03 PM

Mangroves are protected by law in Sri Lanka. MP Perera needs to acknowledge this, and work with the environment and not against it, irrespective of the people he is representing,

Sarath Thursday, 13 February 2020 11:29 PM

Who appointed this dumb minister? If they can't understand a basic environmental issue they are not fit to be a deputy minister. Should be removed at once!

dickie bird Thursday, 13 February 2020 11:42 PM

Foul Mouth Minister.................lets see....you walk the talk............

Chris Thursday, 13 February 2020 11:51 PM

What a shame.

Good Citizen Friday, 14 February 2020 02:18 AM

Wal Buru Politician doesn't Know about the environmental effect of unplanned developments. He tries to implement this construction to earn money from that out of the way. We and our children need a healthy country to live in. Chase these types of politicians from the country.

No HOPE Friday, 14 February 2020 02:20 AM

Simply this is the MENTALITY of the politicians we had in the past 71 years!

gamaya Friday, 14 February 2020 03:28 AM

when will our dumb politicos understand destroying forest land will have detrimental effects in climate change! Plus they don't own the land. They should be booted out from office for the sake of future generations.

D Jayawardena Friday, 14 February 2020 04:02 AM

This amounts to an open threat to the Forest Officer by the usual Ministerial Thug. The President will have to leave important tasks to intervene in this

Neil Friday, 14 February 2020 04:28 AM

No wonder why Sri Lanka is going backwards with this sort of politicians. Gota should take action to remove this guy.

Environment Friday, 14 February 2020 04:55 AM

Persona non grata ( for nominations)

Sunil Friday, 14 February 2020 04:57 AM

Has not this uneducated moron and his equally dumb buffalo henchmen had enough?

Sage of OMAHA Friday, 14 February 2020 04:59 AM

Why not relocate the Negombo Fish Drying to this location and create a play ground in this Tourist designated area in Negombo Beach front. Before Bandaranayake rule this used to be a Pristine Beach front even British Royalty stayed at the Negombo Resthouse. Now a STINKING place like some of the Politicos.

Enviro Friday, 14 February 2020 05:14 AM

What an idiot !

OMG Friday, 14 February 2020 05:16 AM

'whatsoever'. Is this pigin English ??? How times have changed. English media don't seem to have mastered the language !

lansur Friday, 14 February 2020 05:29 AM

So, is it on or off?

C.K. Lankaputhra. Friday, 14 February 2020 05:39 AM

Ms. Devani, dont depend on those who praise you because they prise you today, but tomorrow, they can be nasty. Politicians in this country are like that.

ROy Sumathipala Friday, 14 February 2020 06:46 AM

Mr President, Please get a touch and put it to one ear, If the light pass through he is good for net election!

Ganesh Subramanium Friday, 14 February 2020 06:53 AM

This is a public playground. Negotiations should start about the legal framework. Devani has exceeded her limits in a arrogant manner and high tone and pointing fingers. No manners lady

EngD Friday, 14 February 2020 07:28 AM

Who spent Rs 300 million without approval for the project and for what work he must be taken to task.

Cobra Friday, 14 February 2020 07:29 AM

Yeah, dictatorship starts at the bottom and moves up!

Mr X Friday, 14 February 2020 07:42 AM

Sanath Nishantha should be removed from his post. Not that he is misinformed, he is simply ignorant. This is not the kind of public servants we want in this country.

Vijith Friday, 14 February 2020 07:52 AM

conservation through video clearly shows woman(forest officer) objecting propersal constuct plygrnd it will harmful to envoirment.its true playgrnd also need.as a sensible minister he sould propose alternative solution.but its not.he acts as a normal thug.this clearly shows in our political system people who hold ministrial position lacks good education mangerial skills.mr president atleast give some sensible persons nomination fo next election

Sambo Friday, 14 February 2020 08:02 AM

So you are so fired up because you will loose all that commission if the project does not go through and not for the sake of the children who needs the play ground. You cannot take the law into your own hands as in the past.

Don Juwan Friday, 14 February 2020 08:12 AM

A sharp 'nose dive' of the foolish arrogant minister .who breaths methane instead of oxygen. My salute to courageous officer Mrs. Devani Jayathilaka. This is an encouragement for all the Govt.Officials who should unite and go against any wrong move by the so called 'patriots'.

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I will proceed with the project whatsoever: Sanath Nishantha

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