SC issues landmark judgment on illegal road via Wilpattu NP

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

On May 7 (Tuesday), the Supreme Court terminated the Fundamental Rights case (SC/FR/224/2010) challenging the unauthorised public use of an illegal road running through Wilpattu National Park following key undertakings by the State represented by Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Avanti Perera, which were recorded in Court. This case was filed by the Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited (EFL), together with three others namely, Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of SriLanka, Wilderness and Protected Areas Foundation, and Mr. Thilak Kariyawasam in 2010.   

The roadway in question connects Eluwankulama and Marichchakatti, but crucially, it does not provide access to any settlements within the park. Research has shown that there are already well-maintained alternative routes outside the park that effectively connect larger communities. These alternatives do not result in significant increases in distance or travel time, making the route through the park unnecessary. 

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