Government revokes Pavithra’s gazette on Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve

19 January 2026 08:05 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

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Colombo, Jan. 19 (Daily Mirror) - The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that the government has issued a fresh Gazette Extraordinary revoking an earlier notification that altered the boundaries of the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve to facilitate an aquaculture project.

The Attorney General submitted to court that the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2463/47 dated November 21, 2025, had been formally issued to revoke the previous Gazette No. 2383/05 dated May 6, 2024, which was promulgated during the tenure of former Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

In light of the revocation, the Supreme Court was informed that the petitioners had decided to withdraw their petitions, having achieved the primary relief sought.

The petitions were filed by several environmental organisations, including the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, the Environment Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd., and the Centre for Environmental Justice. They had challenged the legality of the May 2024 Gazette, alleging that the Minister had acted unlawfully in modifying the boundaries of a legally declared protected area.

The Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve is recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s most ecologically significant coastal and marine protected areas. The reserve comprises an extensive network of mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats, seagrass meadows and coral reefs, forming a highly productive ecosystem that supports rich biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardana with Rukshan Senadheera, appeared for the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Counsel Nilshantha Sirimanne, with Deshara Goonetilleke, represented Environment Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd., while Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the Centre for Environmental Justice.

Comments - 3

Sheena Tuesday, 20 January 2026 12:55 AM

Just as the education minister left the country for a conference. Was this timed or a coincidence?

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D P P Prasad Tuesday, 20 January 2026 05:23 AM

Vidattaltivu is a nature reserve that is under the purview of the department of wildlife and it is treated as a significant swamp in the northern part of Sri Lanka. It harbours number of indigenous birds species and fish varieties. Besides its faunal species this wetland is comprised of certain grass and ferns. The specific pun varieties that are derived from this swamp are used to weave the mats and other ornamental materials that help the economic growth of the rural communities. In case this wetland was converted into an aquatic farm even the rural communities lose their cottage industry. Therefore the revoke of the previous gazette is exceptional

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lion Tuesday, 20 January 2026 06:53 AM

Pavithra would have received a hefty some for this heinous crime against the environment of this beautiful land. If this project has gone ahead it will be tantamount to the Ambuluwawa crime perpetrated by corrupt politicians. If not for AK D these crimes would have continued un abated in this country.

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