SC to hear petition on state’s inaction over climate change

Colombo, Sept. 8 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the state’s failure to adopt and implement adequate measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Janak De Silva, Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Justice Sampath Wijeratne after considering the submissions, allowed the petition to proceed. With this order, it paves the way for a full hearing on the merits of the case, which argues that state inaction on climate change constitutes a violation of the fundamental rights of Sri Lankan citizens.

The petitioners, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its Directors filed this petition naming nine parties including the President, the Minister and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the Central Environmental Authority, the Sustainable Energy Authority, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Public Utilities Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Transport and the Attorney General as respondents.

The petitioners contend that the current and projected impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events and threats to agriculture, health and livelihoods, directly and imminently infringe upon the constitutional rights of citizens. 

Senior Counsel Dr. Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioners.