Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardana and a fisherman in Negombo today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the gazette notification issued allowing the Urban Development Authority to acquire the Muthurajawela marshy lands.
The petitioners stated that the President acting arbitrarily by an Order published in the Gazette No.2248/44 dated 07.10.2021 declared that the Muthurajawela marshy lands are urgently required for the purpose of conservation and sustainable use of the Muthurajawela Environment Sensitive Zone and to develop it as a ‘Ramsar Wetland’ by preventing unauthorized filling and encroachments of its land plots.
The Petitioners states that the Gazette notification would have detrimental effects on the rights of the Petitioners and those residing in the areas covering fifteen Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Divisional Secretariat of Negombo in the District of Gampaha.
The Petitioners state that as a result of the Gazette by the President there will be a restriction on the day-to-day activities of the residents of the area as well as the religious activities in the area as well as a restriction on the livelihoods of the people of the area which is mostly based upon fishing activities.
(Daily Mirror)