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| Friday, 16 April 2004 |
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The wetlands in the Western region of Sri Lanka in general and Sri Jayawardenapura in particular are seriously affected on account of unauthorised filling and dumping of solid waste. In spite of a Moratorium placed on filling such land, the practice continues and in fact has increased recently thereby threatening public and private property including the Parliament. There is also an enormous health and environmental risk in the event of heavy inundation during the monsoon season, the Chairman, Central Environmental Authority said yesterday. No wetland in the undermentioned areas can be reclaimed without prior approval obtained in terms of Section 23 AA (1) of the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, as amended, read with the regulations made thereunder and published in the Gazette Extraordinary bearing No. 772/22 of 24th June, 1993: Within 100m from the boundaries of or within any area declared under - * The National Heritage Wilderness Act No. 3 of 1988; * The Forest Ordinance (Chapter 451); Any erodible area declared under the Soil Conservation Act (Chapter 450). Any Flood Area declared under the Flood Protection Ordinance (Chapter 449) and any flood protection area declared under the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation Act No. 15 of 1968 as amended by Act No. 52 of 1982. Any area within 60 meters from the bank of a public stream as defined in the Crown Lands Ordinance (Chapter 454) and having a width or more than 25 meters at any point of its course. Any reservation beyond the full supply level of a reservoir. Any archaeological reserve, ancient or protected monument as defined or declared under the Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188). Any area declared under the Botanic Gardens Ordinance (Chapter 446). Any wetland, not falling under any of the above categories, if it exceeds 4 hectares in extent. Any person who reclaims any wetland sans proper authority, is guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees, or to both such imprisonment and fine, in terms of Section 31 of the said National Environmental Act. Accordingly the Central Environmental Authority will prosecute any person who reclaims wetland contrary to law. The members of the public are also advised to refrain from purchasing, selling or dealing in, lands reclaimed illegally and to bring to my notice forthwith, any unauthorised filling of wetland. |
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