Death of seven elephants in Habarana CA directs AG to submit a report

• The Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice had filed  this petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus order  

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the Attorney General to submit a report regarding the death of seven elephants near the Hiriwadunna reserve in Habarana in 2019.

The Court of Appeal made this order when a writ petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice was taken up for support.   

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Mohammed Laffar and Justice S.U.B. Karaliyadde fixed the petition for support on March 29.  

Petitioner Withanage Don Hemantha Ranjith Sisira Kumara, the Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice had filed this petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus order directing the environmental authorities to formulate a National Policy on protection of elephants, including steps to minimise attacks on human beings.  
Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Wild Life and Attorney General were named as respondents in the petition.  

The petitioners are further seeking an order directing the respondents to act collectively in order to formulate a proper mechanism to protect all elephants in term of sections of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as well as under the Forest Ordinance.  

Petitioners further state that there is an unconventional market for elephant tusks, elephant hair and baby elephants for domestication and this has created a deadly environment for the tuskers and baby elephants.  
Counsel Ravindranath Dabare with Nilmal Wickremasinghe appeared for the petitioner. Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appeared for the Attorney General.

• Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Mohammed Laffar and  Justice S.U.B. Karaliyadde fixed the petition for support on March 29