SL bound to foster respect for intl. treaty obligations - AG Mohan Peiris

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

'The Sri Lankan courts have been sensitive to environmental concerns in dealing with cases brought before them. But Sri Lanka is duty bound to foster respect for international treaty obligations.

Supreme Court will have to view whether there is a fundamental right to a healthy environment in the light of the relevant international treaties and agreements. Attorney General Mohan Peiris, the Chief Guest at the fifth AGM of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL), said.

Addressing the gathering on "Highest Standards in Preserving Nature," he said that according to Article 28(f) of the Constitution it was the duty of every person in Sri Lanka to protect nature and conserve its riches. The IEPSL have joined together to uphold this constitutional duty and if there was a duty on every person to protect nature and conserve its riches there was a right to a wholesome environment that would give economic contentment and sustainable development.

Attorney General Peiris said that several international conventions sought to give effect to the notion that a healthy environment was a fundamental right. These forms including human beings, lead to the inevitable conclusion that international instruments clearly demonstrate the concerns of the international community for a healthy environment for all life forms, including human beings and lead to the inevitable conclusion that the environment was a fundamental right for all living things.

He said to the question, 'Is the right to a healthy environment a fundamental right in Sri Lanka', is not explicitly in the list of fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution although all persons have a fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and wellbeing. Also to bear a solem responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.

Peiris hoped that IEPSL would be a statutory body with the incorporation of the institute by Parliament and that would mark towards accomplishing some of the notable activities chosen as the guiding principles of the Institute.