The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Wildlife Ministry will deploy their investigation teams to investigate some construction work near the Muthurajawela Sanctuary, the Environment Ministry said in a press release.
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera gave instructions to the CEA and the Wildlife authorities to carry out immediate investigations on the legal status of any construction work near the Muthurajawela Sanctuary and whether such constructions are damaging the Muthurajawela Sanctuary and its conservation zone.
Minister Amaraweera chaired the first State Ministerial Sub-Committee Meeting of the Presidential Task Force on ‘Green Economy through sustainable environment’ at the Ministry premises on Wednesday.
Wildlife for and Elephant Fence Construction State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe were also present.
“The Minister inquired about the construction work being carried out by the Wildlife Ministry near Muthurajawela. They said that the construction work was being carried out at Nonagewela, a place outside the Muthurajawela Sanctuary. Accordingly, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera stated that if such a construction is to be carried out, an environmental report must be obtained and instructed the officials to send a team from the CEA and the Wildlife Ministry to obtain a report. The Minister said that the construction was being widely publicized in the media and that immediate action should be taken in this regard,” the release stated.
