MS instructs authorities to inquire on Wilpattu allegations

President Maithripala Sirisena responding to reports on the alleged deforestation in the Wilpattu reservation said that it was the responsibility of the relevant authorities to immediately inquire into the allegations, the Presidents Media Division said.

Expressing his views regarding the media reports published repeatedly about the Wilpattu reservations, the President said that it is the responsibility of the relevant institutions to look into the allegations immediately when they receive such information.

The President also said that if there is any mistake, it should be corrected promptly, otherwise the correction should be done in those media reports" the press release said.

The President had made these remarks at the 13th Session of the Environmental Council held at the auditorium of the Central Environmental Authority, yesterday.

The President instructed the officials to promptly formulate the relevant policy plan to actively and effectively implement the initiatives of the Environmental Council.

The President also instructed the officials to submit the draft plan by the first week of February 2018.

Secretary for the Ministry of Mahaweli Development & Environment, Anura Dissanayake, Prof. Lal Mervin Dharmasiri, Chairman of Central Environmental Authority, environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena, environmentalists and members of the Environmental Council participated in this occasion.