Mt. Lavinia beach nourishment project: CA issues notices on respondents

The Court of Appeal today issued notices on respondent parties including Minister of Environment to appear in court on September 22 in connection with a writ petition filed seeking legal action against the recent Mount Lavinia Beach nourishment project (sand filling) and beach pollution.  

Court of Appeal Justice (President)  A.H.M.D. Nawaz, and Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna made this order consequent to a writ petition filed by Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its Executive Director.

The Coast Conservation Department(CCD) Director General, Central Environmental Authority(CEA), Minister of Environment, Marine Environment Protection Authority(MEPA) and Attorney General were named as the  respondents in the petition.

The petitioners are also seeking an order directing the Minister of Environment to make regulations for the minimization or the ban of the use of single-use plastic and to formulate policies, plans or strategies for the prevention of coastal and marine pollution and discharge of waste and other effluents to the ocean.