Thalangama wetlands saved from elevated highway project

Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror) - The authorities representing the Road Development Authority (RDA) today informed the Court of Appeal that the proposed four-lane elevated highway will not be constructed through the Thalangama Wetlands.

Counsel appearing on behalf of the Road Development Authority (RDA) informed the court that while the elevated highway will not be built through the Thalangama Wetlands, alternative routes will be considered.

These statements were made by the RDA in response to writ petitions filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice and several individuals, who challenged the legality of the gazette notification that permitted the construction of a four-lane elevated highway through an Environmental Protection Area, contrary to all measures taken to preserve the environment.
The parties informed the court that the authorities have decided not to proceed with the project as originally proposed. 

Taking these facts into consideration, Court of Appeal Justice Gihan Kulatunga decided to terminate the proceedings. 

The petitioners stated that former Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera had issued a Gazette Extraordinary which permits the construction of a four-lane elevated highway through an Environmental Protection Area contrary to all measures taken to preserve and protect such area.

Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the Centre for Environmental Justice.