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AG to decide on Catholic Church’s request on the Chapel at Wilpattu Park
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
Colombo, Oct. 21 (Daily Mirror) - As the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is yet to confirm that there has been a traditional monthly service at Pallakandal Church located within the Wilpattu National Park, the Attorney General will have to decide on the request made by the church authorities.
“The management of St. Jude’s Church, Wanathavilluwa has requested that the church be allowed to hold a service held on the first Tuesday of every month. However, the Department of Wildlife Conservation does not have sufficient information to confirm that the said service is a traditional event. The church has been asked to forward such information to the Ministry of Environment immediately. However, such information has not been provided by the church to this date. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the Attorney General,” Minister Dammika Patabendi said.
“The officials of the Wildlife Department do not interfere in the conduct of religious activities in the said church. However, since the church is located within the national park, the officials have taken action only in cases where the devotees visiting the church and the church administrators violate the provisions of Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. Furthermore, this department has also enforced the law regarding unauthorized constructions in the national park. However, it does not interfere in the conduct of religious activities by the church,” he added.
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