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The controversial project to expand the airstrip at Sigiriya has been stopped by the Government, Deputy Solicitor General, B. J. Thilakaratne representing the State informed the Court of Appeal on Friday.

This assurance was given to Court in response to the case filed by the Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL) to stop this project continuing within the Sigiriya Sanctuary, to the Sigiriya World Heritage Site.

EFL instituted a writ application in 2001 when it became clear that the project was going ahead without a prior Archaeological Impact Survey (AIS) for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The Central Environmental Authority, Director General - Department of Archaeology, the Director - Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force were cited as respondents. When the case was first heard, the State undertook not to proceed until the completion of an AIS and EIA, an undertaking periodically renewed without any decision being taken on the project.

Meanwhile, an archaeological study was undertaken by UNESCO which came to the conclusion that amongst all of the sites proposed for an airport, Sigiriya was the least appropriate due to the damage it would cause the surrounding environment and ancient monuments.

The Archaeology Department adopted this UNESCO study as its AIS.

The petitioner accordingly withdrew the case on the undertaking given by the Government.

The Bench comprised Justices K. Sripavan and Raja Fernando. L. R. Rajepakse, R. Dabare and P. Rajakeeya appeared for EFL.

STONE 'N' STRING

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