By Nirmala Kannangara

Pilot project of the proposed solar garden is also within the proposed Elephant Management Area and One of the metal quarries within the proposed Elephant Management Area

Startling revelations have come to the fore as to how thousands of acres of thick forest lands in Hambantota district are being destroyed for development. After clearing 2,000 hectares of forest lands for the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, plans have been drawn to construct a Commercial City, a housing complex, a university and a solar garden (solar power project) clearing thick forest lands. Certainly, for an area far devoid of development, the arrival of projects of such magnitude is laudable. The creation of livelihoods to an area where employment rates are low, and the arrival of a higher learning institution are all indications of an increase in living standards which the province needs. Yet, the destruction of the environment cannot be overlooked. According to environmentalists, although forest lands have been surveyed and earmarked for the proposed projects, none of the project proponents have carried out Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) which is compulsory to get the clearance from forest, archaeological, Mahaweli, Central Environmental Authority and Wildlife Department before carrying out any development work in more than one hectare of forest land.

“It is compulsory to carry out an EIA if more than one hectare of forest land is developed for non forest purposes,” said Jagath Gunawardena Attorney-at-Law specializing in Environmental Studies. As a result of the accelerated development which is taking place in and around Mattala, the wildlife habitat especially the elephant population has faced an absolute threat claims the Wildlife officials. Environmental organizations are up in arms against the clearing of these Mahaweli Authority and Forest Conservation lands and have raised questions as to why such a large forest area with thick wildlife population is allowed to be destroyed although Mahaweli and Forest officials too are against clearing these lands.

“Since there is pressure from the officials, Mahaweli Authority and Forest Conservation officials have had to give their consent to clear the forest for the developments,” Director Environmental Conservation Trust Sajeewa Chamikara said. According to Chamikara, more than 2000 acres of forests have been earmarked for this leaving the implementation of the proposed Elephant Management Area by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) coming to a complete standstill.

Meanwhile, Chamikara accused the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) of not taking any action against the project proponents for the failure to carry out an EIA before developing the forests. “The CEA has become yet another non-effective government department. Although an EIA has to be carried out if more than one hectare of forest is cleared for non forest purposes, the CEA is acting like a scarecrow when thousands of acres of forests are being destroyed in Hambantota district for this development,” alleged Chamikara. Addmitting the necessity for developing the country he however worries over the cost of country’s forests leaving the wildlife habitat in danger.
“If the government cannot protect the environment for the benefit of the country’s future what is the purpose of carrying out greening projects in the country. When the private sector is paying more attention to safeguard the environment in order for a greening project, the government has not showed any concern in that regard but kept on destroying the forests for personal gains,” he said. According to Chamikara, the entire Seenukugala mountain range in Mattala where a thick elephant population is recorded has now been converted to metal quarries where explosives are used to blast granite rocks very often.

“When I visited this area last week I saw how heavy machines were used at these metal quarries. There are 10 metal quarries each spanning over 50 acres. A large road network has been constructed clearing the forest and according to the workers of these metal quarries the granite is sold for the development projects that are taking place in the area,” claimed Chamikara. According to him, although the government was able to get the mining licenses for these ten metal quarries, it is evident that none of the metal quarries have carried out EIAs before developing the area.

“Had they carried out an EIA for each metal quarry they would have had to open them for public comments for 30 working days which never happened. It is learnt that they have obtained approvals from Mahaweli Authority and Forest Department but still how could the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau (GSMB) issue mining licenses when there is no EIA report. This clearly shows that GSMB too violates their own rules,” he noted. He further said that five more metal quarries within forest lands in Elalla and Kuda Indiwewa is in operation destroying a large part of the forest.

“There again these metal quarries have got mining licenses from the GSMB on the request of Southern Provincial Council Minister, D.V. Upul. Some of these five metal quarries spans in 25-30 acre lands and heavy machineries are used from morning till evening disrupting the wildlife habitat,” said Chamikara.

Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Gunawardena said that it is compulsory to carry out an EIA to obtain a mining license since these metal quarries use explosives to blast granite. “Any project that uses explosives has to carry out an EIA which is a requirement by the Central Environmental Authority. So how could the GSMB issue mining licenses for the said projects if the claim that they have not carried out EIA for each project is true,” said Gunawardena.

Chamikara further said that although the Wildlife Department wanted to declare the entire forest area in and around Mattala including the 2000 hectares of forest land that was taken for the airport project as an Elephant Management Area (EMA), their attempts have now been hampered. Meanwhile, reliable sources from the Department of Wildlife Conservation on conditions of anonymity told The Sunday Leader that the decision to declare forests in and around Mattala as an Elephant Management Area had to be held back due to the development that is taking place in every nook and corner of the forest.

“When we drew plans to declare the entire forest area as an EMA, the government brought their proposal for the airport project. Since then all our efforts to declare the said forest cover as an EMA failed as the government did not allow the DWC to implement the proposal. The government knew that once this area is declared as an EMA it would be difficult for them to destroy the forest and use the elephant corridor for their projects. But still most of the officials who have worked at DWC over the years are strictly against the clearing of forest. Although it is recorded that the elephant population in this forest is 400-450, we are surprised if we could save at least one elephant from this herd from the way the forest destruction is taking place,” alleged the sources.

Chamikara further said that 650 acres from Buruthankanda area which too is well within the proposed EMA are to be cleared for the proposed solar power project. “This project is to be implemented in order to generate 8Mw solar power. Although it is good that the government is trying to generate solar power, what is the purpose of implementing such projects after destroying the thick forest? For this project too they have failed to carry out an EIA,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, the proposed plan to construct the Hambantota commercial city in the Koholankala elephant corridor – where more than 450 elephants come from Bundala national park to the proposed stalled EMA too have come under severe criticism.

“Yet another 900 acres of forests are to be destroyed for the Hambantoa commercial city project. When I visited the area last week I saw how connecting roads are constructed along the forest land boundaries. For these projects too, EIAs have not been carried out,” said Chamikara. He further queried as to why the government wants to destroy the forest and the wildlife to build a commercial city in Hambantota when the existing Hambantota city is more than enough to provide a better service for the people. “There is no issue if anyone can develop any part of the country on par with Colombo but we would not want any party to destroy nature and carry out development,” said Chamikara.

He further alleged that there were businessmen encroaching the forest for banana cultivation. “More than ten businessmen from Hambantota have encroached on the forests for banana cultivation and we are not allowed to take any action against them. When the farmers in the Uda Walawe left bank project informed the Mahaweli Authority that they are deprived of water for their cultivations as large water motors are used to pump water for these banana cultivations, Mahaweli officials were quick enough to arrest two workers of these projects. When they were about to be produced in courts, they were released with the Mahaweli officers being reprimanded.
When those who make laws break them whom can we go to? This is why all the government departments are now acting as if they are deaf and dumb because they cannot carry out any their duties in this environment,” alleged Chamikara.

District Secretary Hambantota R.C. de Soysa meanwhile confirmed the development plans but said that approvals have been obtained from the Mahaweli Authority. He however said that the plans were at the initial stages of discussion. The District Secretary meanwhile confirmed that permission has been granted to blast granite in the Seenakugala mountain range but added that all these metal quarries were given licenses after conducting an EIA.

“For the metal quarries running over 50 acres, EIAs have been carried out but the other quarries that are less than 50 acres, there is no necessity to go for an EIA,” said De Soysa. When asked how many acres of forest lands have been obtained for the housing project which is now under construction, Soysa said that he has to consult the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to get the details. When asked for whom these houses are, De Soysa said that once the project is completed it is going to be given for companies calling tenders.

Asked why it is not given for those who do not have a place to live in, De Soysa later said that part of the housing project would be given for the people as well. He further said that the solar garden is to be constructed by private companies and the approvals have been obtained from the Mahaweli Authority for the land.

“The university is a BOI project with 50 acres earmarked for it with a 100 acres demarcated for the housing project. I do not know what the land acreage for the solar garden is, but 1000 acres have been allocated for the commercial city project. I am not aware whether EIA has been carried out for these projects,” said De Soysa. He further added that he has instructed the Mahaweli Authority and the Divisional Secretary Hambantota to take necessary action against the encroachments and maintained that all encroachments have now been stopped. Meanwhile Asela Fernando – the Chief Mining Engineer GSMB said that mining licenses have been granted for the said metal quarries and added that there was no necessity for the said quarries to conduct EIAs as per the CEA guidelines.

“There is no necessity to do an EIA, but if the metal quarry carries out multiple blasts at the same time then they need to do an Initial Environment Examination (IEE). Since all these metal quarries fall under category b and c in Industrial Mining Licenses as said in CEA guidelines there is no necessity to carry out an EIA or IEE. However without the approval of the land owner we cannot issue mining licenses. In this instance we got the Mahaweli Authority and Forest Department consent. In Elalla the approval for the Chanaka Metal Crusher was obtained by the Southern Provincial Council Minister D.V. Upul,” said Fernando.

Meanwhile D.V. Upul said that he is not aware whether an EIA was carried out or not   but requested that details be obtained from his son D.V. Tharaka who owns the metal quarry in Elalla. However D.V. Tharaka said that he did not carry out an EIA as there was no such request when he applied for a mining license. “I got the wildlife, forest and environment clearance but was never asked to do an EIA. GSMB issued the mining license to me in 2012,” said Tharaka.

All attempts to get comments from Environment Minister Susil Premjayanta and Governor Southern Province Kumari Balasooriya failed as they were not available. However, messages were left with Minister Premajantha’s office and Governor Balasooriya’s office that The Sunday Leader wished to get their comments for the story, but none of them returned the calls.

By Nirmala Kannangara

Aponogeton jacobsenii, Systomus asoka, Devario pathirana, Labeo fisheri and Systomus martenstyni

Sri Lanka Ornamental Fish and Water Plant Exporters’ Association (SLOFWPEA) is accused of influencing the Economic Development Ministry to legalize the export of critically endangered and protected inland fish and water plant species.
It is learnt that the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) is now in the process of drafting regulations to amend the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) No: 22 of 2009 enabling export of critically endangered and protected inland fish and water plant species, environmentalists alleged.
Eyebrows have been raised as to why the DWLC is taking such a drastic action knowing well that once the regulations are made, extinction would occur in the very near future.
“Although SLOFWPEA has a hidden agenda to get the existing FFPO regulations reduced to make money without considering extinction, it is the DWLC that has to protect these critically endangered species. Any department or individual can make requests to the DWLC to amend certain regulation for their personal benefits, but why cannot the DWLC stand firm and tighten the existing laws to protect these critically endangered species?” Director Environmental Conservation Trust, Sajeewa Chamikara questioned.
According to Nadeeka Hapuarachchi, of Galle Wildlife Conservation Society, there are 21 critically endangered fresh water fish species and 19 endangered species in the country.
“It is surprising why the government is taking such a drastic decision in order to serve the purpose of a few, without considering conserving these critically endangered fish. Out of the endemic fish species, 18 varieties are critically endangered and 19 varieties are endangered species. This is clearly stated in the National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka, which was published by the Ministry of Environment. According to this report, 50% of fresh water fish and 83% of fresh water plants are now critically endangered. It is the SLOFWPEA that has to take the sole responsibility for this extinction, as they have never had any methodology to breed fish or water plants, but export straight from the fish and water plant population from the streams. That is the main reason for the rapid extinction,” Hapuarachchi said.
According to Chamikara, on the direction of the Economic Development Ministry, a committee comprising DWLC, Forest Department, Agriculture Department, Botanical Gardens Peradeniya, National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA), Customs Department and Health Ministry officials have drafted the new regulations and the draft has been sent to the Attorney Generals Department for approval.
“The Economic Development Ministry is claiming that this would be implemented for the benefit of the villagers. Although it is said that these species would be regenerated for export, how could this be implemented when most of these species are found in small numbers in tiny waterways? In the event these small numbered species are taken from their natural habitat for regeneration, these critically endangered species would be extinction very soon,” added Chamikara.
The eight varieties of critically endangered fish that are to be regenerated and exported are Pathirana salaya (Devario Pathirana), Gadaya (Labeo fisheri), Asoka pethiya (Systomus Asoka), Bandula pethiya (Pethia Bandula), Dumbara pethiya (Systomus martenstyni), Wilpita dandiya (Rasbora wilpita), Dankudu pethiya (Dawkinsia Srilankensis) and Ratu Weligowwa (Sicyopus jonklassi).
“All eight varieties are endemic and found in small numbers only in few places. Bandula pethiya is only found in a small stream stretch in the Kegalle District. It was first identified in 1991 and when researched was carried out, we were able to find this variety in 2009 and 2012 in the same stream. Only two varieties of Wilpita dandiya were found in 1991 and during the 2009 and 2012 research, we could find only one variety of this fish.
There is a high demand for Ratu Weligowwa and it is found near waterfalls. They are of microhabitat and in 1991 there were six varieties and in 2009 and 2012 it was able to find only three varieties. Asoka pethiya was found in the Seethawaka River and its surrounding places and two varieties were found in 1991 and 2009, but the latest research in 2012 reveals that only one variety could be found in the country.
Dumbara pethiyais can only be found in the Knuckles Range, and its extinction has taken place rapidly. Although we could find five varieties of this fish during the 1991 research, it has come down to two when research was carried out in 2009 and 2012,” Hapuarachchi said.
According to Chamikara, out of the 13 endangered water plants that are to be regenerated and exported, are two varieties of Kekatiya (Aponogeton), seven varieties of ketala (Laginandra) and four varieties of Athiudayan (Cryptocoryne).
“If these plants are removed from the natural habitat their extinction too will occur in the near future. Unless the DWLC takes prompt action to strengthen the existing FFPO and to prevent the SLOFWPEA from exporting these critically endangered and endangered species, the country will soon lose their endemic fauna and flora,” Chamikara said.
All attempts to contact Director General Department of Wildlife Conservation, H.D. Ratnayake, Deputy Director Legal, Chandani Wilson, and Assistant Director Legal, D.M. Weerasinghe, for comments failed as they were continuously at meetings.

During the dry season, when dirt roads are cracked from the relentless heat, the sight of women walking miles, balancing pots of water on their heads, is common in rural Sri Lanka.
While the men tend to paddy fields, the women are left with the arduous task of collecting water for household use. They account for every drop of water consumed, utilised or wasted – making them crucial players in rural water projects.
Talpothta is a typical agricultural village in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, whose life cycle is completely dependent on the rainfall that has become extremely erratic in the last few years.
In 2006, the village was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of a 263-million-dollar Asian Development Bank (ADB) project that set out to provide safe drinking water to 900,000 people in Sri Lanka’s North-Central and Eastern Provinces.
But unlike many other development projects in the country, this is led primarily by women, who comprise an overwhelming majority of the village community.
From the initial planning stages, village women were inducted into the project’s long-term implementation plans, which included installing a community-run water storage tank and mapping out a distribution network to link the entire village to the water supply.
The project’s community leaders advise the roughly 200 village water users, to check metres, collect payments and, most importantly, decide when and how to limit the water supply when the dry season sets in. Members also visit households regularly and keep close tabs on usage.
Sheila Herath, a member of the group of local leaders, says women play a critical role in this project.
“The woman in the household is the person who will know how much water is used for what. So we know how much is needed and how much is excess,” she said.
The ADB project planners knew this from experience, not only in Sri Lanka, but in other parts of rural South Asia, officials told IPS, adding that 50 % of participants at planning meetings and at least 25% of the officials from the Government Water Board, were women.
According to Attanayake Mudiyanse Senevirathana, a public official in the North-Central town of Polonnaruwa working on improving access to safe water, women have traditionally played the role of ‘water bearer.’
“This is still the case,” he told IPS, adding, “Women also feel they gain more by the success of such projects.”
Thanks to the new water project, women in Talpothta say they find themselves with a lot more free time – something that most rural women can only dream of.

Foot soldiers of climate change adaptation

Liyadurige Siriyawathi, 45, has returned to a childhood hobby that she gave up when she got married two decades ago – making sketches. She now earns about 100 dollars a month from the sales of these drawings.
Others are engaged in home gardening or say that they now have more time for themselves or for the children.
Kusum Athukorale, who heads the Network of Women Water Professionals in Sri Lanka, told IPS that one-sixth of the island’s water supply is derived from rural community projects. Their success depends on women’s participation at every level, she stressed.
“They are the ones who know where the water sources are, how much is needed. They the ones who walk miles to gather water when drought sets in.”
Athukorale calls women the ‘foot soldiers of climate change adaptation’ because of their hands-on knowledge of how natural resources are being used in households.
A recent ADB report entitled ‘Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia,’ found that women’s role in water management was crucial throughout the region.
“Health surveys conducted in 45 developing countries during 2005–2008 showed that globally, women bear the largest burden as primary collectors of water in 64% of households, compared with 24% of households for men, four percent for boys, and eight percent for girls,” the report stated.
The report warned that women, especially those from poor communities, were at risk of suffering more due to lack of access to safe water ‘as they are the primary users, providers, and managers of water in households and are responsible for household hygiene.’
The report detailed projects in Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, and Nepal similar to the Talpothta water scheme, where women played a crucial role in ensuring success.
A women’s group in the village of Ramnagara, a town in the central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh, was responsible for lobbying local authorities and a nongovernmental group to establish pipes close to their homes. Like in rural Sri Lanka, the new pipes freed up time the women would otherwise have spent searching for water.
“Women now use the time saved to participate in group activities and explore other livelihood options,” the ADB report said.
“There is an accumulation of evidence to show that if we are able to (appoint) women as the decision makers for a project on the ground, the success rate goes up almost instantly,” Naoko Ishii, chairperson of the Washington-based Global Environment Facility (GEF), a public fund that assists in projects related to sustainable development, told IPS.
Ishii, who served as Japan’s deputy finance minister and as country head for the World Bank in Sri Lanka before taking up the GEF top post, credits women’s sense of discipline as a key factor in their pivotal role, especially in rural Asia and Africa.
“When women are in charge of a micro finance project, the repayment ratio is much higher,” she told IPS.

-IPS

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has come under severe criticism for aiding and abetting encroachers within the Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary.
According to environmentalists, attempts to get the illegal land fillings and encroachers removed from the sanctuary have fallen on deaf ears, as politicians have backed these illegal land fillings and encroachments.
Director, Environmental Conservation Trust, Sajeewa Chamikara said that although the environmentalists were able stop mass scale destruction to the sanctuary earlier by initiating legal action they are yet to remove encroachers and stop illegal fillings that are taking at a snail’s pace.
“The best example to this illegal filling is the famous Bellanwila car park and the land beyond it that houses many buildings including a vishramashalawa. This illegal filling is still taking place and the DWC is in deep slumber. Although they claim that they are taking legal action against the encroachers and illegal land fillings, I challenge them to tell us as to whether what action they have taken against the Bellanwila priest,” claimed Chamikara.
According to Chamikara, although this sanctuary is a natural water retention area, it has now failed to absorb the excess water and control floods due to the illegal land filling and encroachments.
Bellanwila-Attidiya marshy lands with an extent of 372 hectares was declared as a sanctuary on July 25, 1990 but the DWC’s failure to protect it over the years has reduced the number of migrant and endemic birds.
According to Jagath Gunawardena, Attorney-at-Law specializing in environmental law, it was President Ranasinghe Premadasa who declared this Bellanwila-Attidiya marsh as a sanctuary in 1990 under the recommendation of minister Ananda Tissa de Alwis.
“Although there were requests to declare this area as a sanctuary since the mid 1970s, it never happened. It was Renton de Alwis who wanted us – a young group of environmentalists – to make a report on the importance of this area. Hence we formed the Society for the Environmental Education and did a study to find out as to how important this area was. When the report was submitted to Minister Ananda Tissa de Alwis, it was handed over to then Prime Minister R. Premadasa. Once he became the President, he immediately declared this area a sanctuary which was a longstanding requirement,” said Gunawardena.
Speaking further, Gunawardena said that it is shocking that the DWC is not supported by the other agencies to remove the encroachers from the sanctuary.
“Although new encroachments and land fillings are not taking place now the damage has already been done by the encroachers and those who filled the lands. Unless these parties are not removed immediately, it could be a big issue in the days to come as they are now trying to expand into settlements. Even electricity has been provided to them,” added Gunawardena.
Gunawardena further queried as to how the Chief Prelate of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya carry out illegal fillings to expand the temple lands for free.
“The Buddhist monk is giving a wrong example to his disciples. Knowing that it is illegal, how can a Buddhist monk commit this wrongdoing. Although it is as such, no one is objecting as Ministers and Parliamentarians and backing the monk. The illegal filling is still going on even though this has been highlighted in the media,” said Gunawardena.
Meanwhile, Sajeewa Chamikara said that it was surprising that the DWC allowed extending the land filling at Malini Bulathsinghala Mawatha and the entire wetlands adjoining the Bloods Lake to construct factories and houses.
“These illegal encroachers have even constructed a road network within the sanctuary.  Haramanis Mawatha, A. Karunarathna Mawatha and Vikum Pedesa are some of the roads that have been constructed illegally. In addition, around the Weres Ganga too houses have come up speedily,” added Chamikara.
He further said that it is reported that a large numbers of endemic fish and birds and migrant birds that were found in the Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary during 1990s have now come down considerably due to the devastation.
“During 1990s there were around 168 varieties of birds including the three varieties of   endemic birds – gira maliththa (Lorikeet), Heen Kottoruwa (Small Barbet), Hisa Dumburu Demalichcha (Brown Capped Babbler) that were identified in this sanctuary. As a result of illegal fillings and encroachments, this has now reduced to 88 varieties,” said Chamikara. According to Chamikara, it was during the last UNP regime the illegal land fillings within the sanctuary started.
“It was Samson Silva, that first allowed his supporters to encroach on the sanctuary. All attempts by the Department of Wildlife Conservation during that period and the environmentalists to stop this failed as the then government turned a blind eye to the destruction. He did this to obtain preferential votes for him. It is the same with the Bellanwila temple as well. Little by little, they too filled the sanctuary and by now they have filled more than four acres. The temple car park, flower boutiques and even the vishramashalawa is now housed in this illegally filled marshy land that is part of the sanctuary,” he said.
According to Chamikara, Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena and Patali Champika Ranawaka too are to be blamed for the illegal encroachments as they too have helped to destroy the sanctuary.
“Minister Gunawardena too helped the temple to encroach on the land and make a car park while Minister Patali Champika wanted to clear a part of the sanctuary and give the villagers some lands for paddy cultivation. Although Minister Gunawardena was able to help the temple to encroach the land, we were able to stop Minister Patali Champika from clearing up the sanctuary lands and distributing among his supporters for paddy cultivation,” said Chamikara.
According to Chamikara, the discharge of water contaminated with chemicals and garbage from factories and offices to the Bolgoda Lake too has become a threat to the sanctuary.
“The Central Environment Authority (CEA) and the DWC is to be blamed for turning a blind eye to this mass scale destruction. Although the environmental organizations have made several requests to the DWC and the CEA to take legal action against those who discharge contaminated water and garbage to the river, they are reluctant to take any action against the wrong doers knowing that they have political clout,” added Chamikara.
Meanwhile, he said that the proposed Weres Ganga Development Project would bring severe threats to the marshy lands.
“Once the canals are widened from this project the water levels in the marshy lands would reduce during the dry season. This would directly impact the natural habitat of the several species found within the sanctuary,” said Chamikara. However, an official in Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation on conditions of anonymity said that widening the water ways would not make the marshy lands dry during the dry season but added that it would greatly help the people downstream to avoid floods in future.
“Just because the waterways are going to be widened that does not mean the water levels in the marshy land will go down and will be too go dry during the dry season. This theory is wrong,” said the official.
According to the official, the Defence and the Urban Development Ministry does not want to destroy the environment and would not take any hasty decisions that would harm the natural habitat of the species in the marshy lands.
“We are yet to start the project and surveys are currently underway to ascertain as to how this could be done. We also want to stop illegal fillings. If the environmentalists are claiming that this would hamper the environment and its natural habitat let them come and talk to us. We are ready to listen to them as we do not want to do any development work that would harm the environment,” added the official.
Director General of DWC, H. D. Ratnayake said that strict legal action would be taken against the illegal land fillers and even against the encroachers as this sanctuary has to be preserved especially for the migrant birds and other species that are only found in this area.
“We have already taken some encroachers to courts and are waiting for the ruling. Once we get the ruling we will act on it and remove all encroachers,” said Ratnayake.
When asked as to what action they have taken against the factories that release garbage and water contaminated with chemicals to the waterways, Ratnayake said that he was not aware of it but added he would take stern action against those who contaminate the waterways.
“I will act on this and even the CEA too has a responsibility to look into this. They too have been vested with powers to take action against the law breakers,” added Ratnayake.
All attempts to contact Chairman CEA Wimal Rubasinghe and the Director General for a comment failed, as they were not contactable. The other officials declined to make any comments claiming that they are not supposed to give detail to the media.

Provincial cordinating committee meeting minutes that shows Minister John Seneviratne’s proposal on cable cars

Environmentalists, civil societies and Buddhist clergy have expressed concerns over the proposed plan to introduce cable cars to Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada).
Sri Pada the fourth highest mountain in the country is also of religious importance to Buddhists. According to environmentalists and civil society organizations, the proposed plan would not only bring adverse impact to the surrounding environment which is with a high bio diversity consist rare fauna and flora but also has a great threat of de-listing Sri Pada from the world heritage site by the UNESCO.
It was not so long ago UNESCO declared Adam’s Peak, Knuckles Range and Horton Plains as world heritage sites. The environmentalists point why this government wants to introduce new changes knowing that UNESCO would not allow any environmental impact to be taken place that would be detrimental to Sri Pada.
According to President Nature Group and Director Environmental Conservation Trust Thilak Kariyawasam, the proposal to introduce cable cars has come from Minister John Seneviratne to boost tourism in the country. “If the Economic Development Ministry wants to boost tourism in the country why cannot they introduce cable cars to the central hills rather than to Sri Pada. Sri Pada is a holy place and no one wants cable cars to visit Sri Pada as they want to go on a holy pilgrimage,” added Kariyawasam.
According to Kariyawasam, Minister John Seneviratne has taken advices from the Nepalese government on how to introduce cable cars to Sri Lanka.
“True there are cable car systems in Nepal which is very famous there. Why we object to this is that Sri Pada is a holy place and we do not want to disturb the holy atmosphere that prevails in Sri Pada and its’ environ. No one would object if this system is introduced to any other place in the country leaving the holy places aside,” said Kariyawasam.
Meanwhile, Kariyawasam alleged as to how plans are afoot to put up hotels and car parks at the foot of the cable car lines by several private parties. “It is said that the tea estate in Erathna that belongs to the Lands Reform Commission is to be used as the focal point. I came to know that Minister John Seneviratne and his supporters in the Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda Pradeshiya Sabha had gone to Erathna to see as to how they could start it,” said Kariyawasam.
He further added how the mountain has prone to earth slips from recent past and said that the situation would be worsen once the jungle is cleared to fix iron posts to strengthen the cables.
“If cable cars are introduced to Sri Pada people will come for fun when the devotees climb up the peak with religious devotion. If the government wants to go ahead with the project the Archaeology Department has to be consulted and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has to be done. We came to know that the Minister has told that there is no necessity to go for an EIA since this is a government project to which we would strongly protest. When I spoke to Minister Seneviratne’s Secretary to find out whether it is true that the minister has brought such a proposal, the secretary said that the Minister has not brought any such proposal as stated in the media. How can the secretary claim as such when we have the minutes of the provincial coordinating committee meeting held on December 20, 2012 at the Divisional Secretariat Kuruwita? The environmentalist groups and civil societies are planning to go to courts in this regard,” added Kariyawasam.
He further noted as to how UNESCO would stop providing financial assistance to preserve the listed world heritage sites in the country.
“If this goes ahead without considering the UNESCO stance, our UNESCO representative Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka would have to give an explanation as to why such a decision has been taken. If the country’s world heritage sites are de-listed it would then badly affect the country’s tourism sector as well,” added Kariyawasam.
Director EFL Vimukthi Weeratunge meanwhile said that if the Economic Development Ministry makes any attempts to introduce cable cars to Sri Pada it would certainly bring more repercussions to the country, as there is a risk that UNESCO will de-list all world heritage sites in the country. Sri Pada is a world heritage site and no one can do any development work in such places without consultation with the UNESCO. If taken the sacred city Kandy as an example, which too has been declared a heritage site by UNESCO, no one can widen or change the road network. It applies the same to Sri Pada as well,” added Weeratunge.
Weeratunge queried as to how these cables could be strengthening without causing severe impact to the environment.
“Huge posts need to be erected to strengthen these cables in the down stream. How could these posts be fixed without causing severe damage to the peak? When there was no request from the devotees to introduce cable cars who has made this request? Even we have seen as to how the foreigners climb up the peak together with locals. For them this is a new experience and they love hiking. The foreigners will laugh at us as they would not want to go to this holy site comfortably but want to experience the long journey,” said Weeratunge.
He further added as to how such proposals came from interested parties on earlier occasions, which were defeated with the strong agitation from environmentalists and civil groups. Recalling as to how the government’s plan to construct a road through the Sinharaja rain forest had to stop when the UNESCO intervened, Weeratunge added that what ever attempts are now made to introduce these cable cars to Sri Pada the government would not be able to do any development without the consent of UNESCO.
“The environmentalist and civil societies were up in arms when the government wanted to construct a road through Sinharaja rain forest in 2011. When the construction work was on its way, the UNESCO wanted the government to stop its plan, as it is a world heritage site. For the government there were no other options but to stop the work abruptly. In the event if the government tries to introduce cable cars to Sri Pada, the end result would be the same as Sinharaja. If the government will be still adamant and go ahead with the proposed plan then UNESCO would certainly de-list our heritage sites and it would bring more repercussions to the tourism industry,” said Weeratunge.
However Ranjith, a member of a civil society that engages in environment conservation work in Sri Pada said that all civil groups in and around Sri Pada have come to a firm decision to agitate against the proposed plan since it would bring detrimental effect to the surrounding environment. According to Ranjith, all civil environmental conservation societies have held two seminars recently to show what the negative impact would be if cable cars are introduced and added that they are planning to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the Foreign Minister and all other senior officials to tell how such a project would bring an impact to the picturesque environment.
“If we do not get any positive response from these higher officials we would not hesitate to inform UNESCO as to what is going to happen to one of the sites they have declared as world heritage. We are also in the process of educating the Buddhist clergy what the negative impact would be. If devotees in their old age too climb up the peak from Kuruwita, Ratnapura and Hatton and even the foreign tourists why do we need a cable car system? Even we have seen as to how foreign tourists go on hike to Sri Pada during the off-season since they love climbing up the peak. If they want to go in cable cars they would rather go to Nepal to see the mountains,” said Ranjith.
Chief Incumbent Abhayaraja Temple Ratnapura, Ven. Ratnapure Sumana Thero said that introducing cable car system would not impact the environment since the cars would not go straight to the top of the peak.
“We were told that these cars would not go straight to the top of the peak but to 2km below from the top,” said Ven. Sumana Thero.
When asked whether the Buddhist clergy would mind if the mountain is prone to earth slips once the surrounding thick jungle is cleared to install the huge iron posts to strengthen cables, Ven. Sumana Thero said that the Buddhist clergy would never give any consent for such a detrimental impact.
“It is true that cables have to be strengthen by these posts and the the thick jungle has to be cleared to install these posts. Anyway there were reported cases of earth slips in and around Sri Pada. Once the jungle is cleared it would certainly be prone for more earth slips which would impact the peak top as well in the years to come,” said the Thero.
The Thero further said that if the UNESCO too comes against the cable car system, the Buddhists clergy too would support them to protect the world heritage site.
“Although we are not against the introducing cable cars to Sri Pada, UNESCO and our own environmentalists know what the effect that would bring. UNESCO does not declare certain places as world heritage sites unless they find it out through proper evaluation. They know better than us the importance of preserving such sites. Whatever the decision the UNESCO takes we will certainly back them up as we too want the best for the country,” added Ven. Sumana Thero.
Meanwhile Divisional Secretary Kuruwita M.W. Kulathilake when contacted confirmed that a proposal was brought by Minister John Seneviratne at the Divisional Coordinating Committee Meeting held on December 20, 2012.
“At this Divisional Coordinating Committee meeting Minister Seneviratne said that he discussed the possibilities of introducing a cable car system to Sri Pada with the Nepalese High Commissioner and that it would be installed from Erathna to Sri Pada. According to the Minister this would benefit for those who cannot climb up the peak and for those who wants to save time and that he would see whether there are any possibilities to go ahead with the proposed plans from January,” said Kulathilake.
Public Administration Minister John Seneviratne was not contactable for a comment nor did he reply to the text message sent to him till the paper went to press.

The documents stating legal action could be taken against those who fail to maintain the waterways and prohibiting construction of new agriculture wells

People’s Movement for the Protection of Free Water Rights (PMPFWR) is agitating against the North Western Provincial Council’s (NWPC) attempt to privatise water in the province.
Convener PMPFWR, Raveendra Kariyawasam said that the North Western Provincial Water Management Ordinance, which is in accordance with No: 32 of 1946 Irrigation Ordinance (amended), is to bring adverse impact on farmers in the province.
“According to the North Western Provincial Water Management Ordinance the farmers who obtain water from the waterways in their respective areas have to maintain their waterways. In the event they fail to do so the water management and development committees will maintain these waterways. However, this committee then has the power to ask the farmers who have failed to abide by the rules and regulations to bear the maintenance cost. If they fail to pay the amount, the water management and the development committee has the power to file action against them in District Courts. If found guilty, each person has to pay a fine of Rs. 50,000 or six months imprisonment or both,” added Kariyawasam.
Kariyawasam further accused for the plan to prevent the people from constructing new wells once the North Western Provincial Water Management Ordinance is implemented.
“This is what we were expecting from a government like this. They are going to start privatisation of water from the North Western Province and will introduce to the other provinces in the months to come. When we went to meet Agriculture Minister in the NWPC T.B. Herath a few weeks ago, he did not give us an audience but his Secretary promised to get a time for us to meet him. So far we were not given any meeting. We are now campaigning against this move,” said Kariyawasam.
However, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation North Western Provincial Council T.B. Herath said that there are no moves to privatise water in the province.
“We are now in the process of drafting the Ordinance as we had to amend the Ordinances we drafted earlier. Although we have taken the proposals that were forwarded to us in order to streamline the maintenance of waterways we will not impose such restrictions that you mentioned. Any person can forward proposals to us, which would be scrutinized and if those proposals are beneficial to the people we would include them to the ordinance,” said Herath.

Systomus asoka, Devario pathirana, Lagenandra thwaitesii, Aponogeton jacobsenii, Labeo fisheri and Systomus martenstyni

Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) is accused of drafting regulations to amend the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) No. 22 of 2009 in order to legalise the export of critically endangered and protected inland fish and water plant species.
According to Director Environment Conservation Trust Sajeewa Chamikara, on the direction of Economic Development Ministry a committee comprising DWC, Forest Department, Agriculture Department, Botanical Gardens Peradeniya, National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA), Customs Department and Health Ministry officials have drafted the new regulations and the draft has been sent to the Attorney Generals Department for approval.
Meanwhile refuting the Economic Development Ministry’s claim that this project would be carried out to help the villagers to earn money under the Divi Neguma programme, Chamikara queried as to how the villagers could regenerate fish and plant species without having the necessary methodology.
“The Economic Development Ministry is claiming that this would be implemented for the benefit of the villagers. Although it is said that these species would be regenerated for export, how this could be implemented when most of the species are found in small numbers in tiny waterways is a question. In the event these small numbered species are taken from their natural habitat for regeneration, these critically endangered species would be facing extinction very soon,” added Chamikara.
The eight varieties of critically endangered fish that are to be regenerated and exported are Pathirana salaya (Devario Pathirana), Gadaya (Labeo fisheri), Asoka pethiya (Systomus Asoka), Bandula pethiya (Pethia Bandula), Dumbara pethiya (Systomus martenstyni), Wilpita dandiya (Rasbora wilpita), Dankudu pethiya (Dawkinsia Srilankensis) and Ratu Weligowwa (Sicyopus jonklassi).
According to Chamikara, out of the 13 endangered water plants that are to be regenerated and exported are two varieties of Kekatiya (Aponogeton), seven varieties of Ketala (Laginandra), Aponogeton jacobsenii, Aponogeton regicifolius and Lagindra bogneri.
“Out of these species Bandula pethiya is found only in Minimarukolaniya in the Kegalle district and the population is extremely numbered. Even the other seven varieties too are not found in abundance but only a few. In such a situation how can the people regenerate these fishes without removing them from the natural habitat? Once they are removed from the natural habitat the wild population decreases and they are subjected to extinction soon,” said Chamikara.
Chamikara further said, out of the water plant species, Aponogeton jacobsenii plant could be found only in Horton Plains and its regeneration could be only in a clime similar to Horton Plains.
“In addition the Aponogeton regicifolius could be found only in few places in the wet zone. Laginandra bogneri was not existing for over 100 years and it was about five years ago the plant was once again found in Wathurana in Bulathsinghala. According to the Red Data Book of the International Union of Conservation Nature (IUNC) of 2007, these water plants are critically endangered species and they are prone to extinction. In the event such plants are removed from their natural habitat these water plants too would be extinct soon,” claimed Chamikara.
Chamikara further queried as to why such a detrimental decision was taken by the Economic Development Ministry since it is a known secret that the Ministry is helping out their stooges who are mega scale fresh fish and water plants exporters.
“We know as to why this ministry has taken such a decision and why the DWC together with several other officials from various departments have drafted regulations to amend the existing FFPO. It is not for the benefit of the villagers but for the benefit of mega scale exporters,” alleged Chamikara.
He further queried as to why the DWC allow regenerating and exporting Aponogeton crispus, Aponogeton natans and Cryptocoryne wendtii which are water plants with a big demand from foreign countries instead of exporting the critically endangered species.
“These three varieties can be regenerated easily and has a good demand in foreign countries. It is disheartening to know as to how the DWC, the institution established to protect the fauna and flora in the country, is taking steps to help make these critically endangered species extinct,” added Chamikara.  All attempts to get a comment from Director Operations DWC, H. D. Ratnayake failed. Although several messages were left with his Personal Assistant, Ratnayake did not return the calls.
“I am sorry the Director is busy with meetings and cannot connect to him. I left the message with Mr. Ratnayake but he did not give any answer,” said Ratnayake’s Personal Assistant.

The illegal GSMB license and The illegal FD license

Villagers in Galpaya in the Anuradhapura district are up in arms against the former Divisional Secretary (DS) Palagala, Grama Niladhari Moroththegama and the OIC of the Galkiriyagama Police for attempting to sell blocks of granite of archaeological value to an Italian national.
These granite blocks have been carved out from a hermitage where Arahath theros were believed to have lived during pre-Dutugemunu era according to the villagers.
It was during mid 90s that Sin Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd, got blocks of granite carved out from the historical caves at the Nisala Arana hermitage in Galpaya with the support of former UNP Chief Minister North Central Province G.D. Mahindasoma and Chanaka Mathew a relative of former Minister Nanda Mathew.
Although there were no objections for carving out these granite blocks then, due to an unknown reason it was abandoned and the machinery that were used too were deserted by Sin Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.
“Once that project was abandoned the villagers sold the discarded parts of the deserted machinery. However it was in late August this year that an Italian national who was interested on removing these large granite blocks to his country was introduced to the police and the other government officials by Janaka Dissanayake -a businessman in Galpaya. That was how this foreigner came with bogus licenses to remove these granite blocks which were of archaeological value,” said Sisira Kumara.
Sisira Kumara together with his fellow Galpaya villagers had staged a massive protest near the hermitage when the Italian national brought cranes and containers to remove the granite blocks.
Kumara further stated that the DS Palagala, OIC Galkiriyagama and the Grama Niladhari Moroththegama forced the villagers to allow the Italian national to remove the granite blocks.
“When we heard that these government officials were trying to help the foreigner to remove these blocks which are of archaeological value we prevented the heavy machinery coming to the hermitage by obstructing the road. Since the villagers were obstructing the foreigner from removing the granite blocks, five of us were taken into police custody by the OIC Galkiriyagama N.P. Welikala and was bailed out later,” said Kumara.
According to Kumara OIC Welikala had asked him to disperse the villagers failing which he will see as to what will happen to the villagers thereafter.
“First I was asked not to knock my head against ‘big wigs’ and then threatened me to disperse the villagers without obstructing their work failing which he will look after them thereafter. It was only later he took five of us into police custody and produced us in Kekirawa Magistrate court where we got bail,” added Kumara.
“Unlike them we did not have any hidden agenda to make money but wanted to safeguard our heritage. That was why we prevented these blocks of granite being removed from the hermitage site,” added Kumara.
Kumara further noted that the villagers were taken aback when the Police Special Archaeological Protection Unit (PSAPU) Anuradhapura found out the licenses the Italian had obtained were not to the Galpaya hermitage site but to an unknown GN division.
According to Kumara, the Italian national who wanted to take the carved out large granite blocks to Italy has openly stated that he has already spent millions of rupees to make arrangements to take them to his country.
“If he has not spent money to carve out these granite blocks using heavy machinery, then on what has he spent the money? We now can assume as to how he has spent millions of money from the way he got unstinted support from the DS, the GN and even from the OIC Galkiriyagama,” claimed Kumara.
Nisala Arana Hermitage is situated in 676 Moroththegama GN Division in the Anuradhapura district. There are 13 caves believed to have been offered to Arahath by Buddhist devotee during pre-Dutugamunu era. There are rock inscriptions in all caves and this area has been declared as an archaeological site on July 22, 2011 by the Archaeological Department through as extraordinary gazette notification no: 1716.
However despite the archaeological value, the former Divisional Secretary Palagala has got the approval from the Forest Department (FD) and the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau (GSMB) for the Italian national to remove the granite blocks.
“The hermitage is covered with thick forest that comes under the Forest Department. It was surprising for the villagers as to how the FD allowed its treasures to be removed by a foreigner when they have taken strict action against those who cut down trees to build houses. We cannot say that both FD and GSMB licenses were bogus as they were in proper letterheads. It was the DS, the GN and the OIC that made the blunder to mislead the people,” said Kumara.
According to him, the Italian national and Janaka Dissanayake was adamant that they have got all the approvals from the relevant departments giving the clearance to remove the 400 blocks to be send to Italy.
Meanwhile one of the Buddhist monks who were meditating in one of the caves said that he believes that there would have been Buddhist monks’ meditating in this hermitage since there are rock inscriptions in all caves. “We are here to meditate and it is good if the villagers can save the hermitage,” the Buddhist monk said. He declined to give his name and did not allow us to photograph him.
According to the Officer in charge, Archaeological Regional Office Anuradhapura, it was surprising as to how the DS had misled the villagers by giving licenses to another area that does not come under 676 Moroththegama Grama Niladhari (GN) Division.
“This particular hermitage is within the 676 Moroththegama GN Division. But however the DS has obtained the licenses to remove these granite blocks under a different GN division- Galpaya Kaduwa GN Division. Because the villagers in Galpaya are not much educated, and because they would not check all the details in the licenses, the DS would have issued a bogus license. If we did not come to the scene when the protest was taking place, no one would have known that those licenses were counterfeit,” said the Officer in charge.
Meanwhile, PC 23118 Perera attached to the Police Special Archaeological Protection Unit (PSAPU), Anuradhapura said as to how they were asked to go to Galpaya to protect the archaeological site from the people who were gathered to remove the granite blocks.
“We got a call from police emergency 119 and when we went to the scene we noticed as to how this foreigner has come with the DS, Grama Niladhari and even with the police to remove these granite blocks. They showed us the licenses they have received from the Forest Department since this area comes under them. They also showed us a license issued by the GSMB. Although they have obtained licenses from these two institutions they have not informed the Archaeological Department for its approval, as our approval is essential since this area has been declared an archaeological site in July 2011,” claimed Perera.
According to Perera, the PSAPU had to take an injunction order to prevent the foreigner, the police, the GN and the GS from entering the Nisala Arana hermitage site to prevent the granite blocks being moved from the area. “We got the area videoed and produced it to the magistrate to show what an important archaeological site it is. We also produced a copy of the gazette notification in which the area has been declared as an archaeological site. Although this area has been declared as an archaeological site in 2011, we were puzzled as to how the FD and GSMB issued licenses without consulting the Archaeological Department,” claimed PC Perera.
Refuting allegations GN 676 Moroththegama Division, A.G. Jagath Kularatne accused the Galpaya villagers for preventing the foreigner from removing the granite blocks.
“Although the villagers claim that this granite is of archaeological value, the Archaeological Department told us that this hermitage is not of archaeological value. Since there was a request from a foreigner to remove these granite blocks, we only facilitated to get the approvals from the FD and the GSMB. We did not help him for money but as the government officials it is our duty to help if such a request comes,” said Kularatne. DS Palagala was not available for a comment.

The decision to de-gazette a gazette notification in order to demarcate more than 4, 000 acres of land in the Elahera-Girithale sanctuary to distribute amongst the villagers has raised concern among environmentalists.
The Elahera-Girithale reserve was declared a sanctuary on January 13, 2000 through a gazette notification No: 1114/15. This sanctuary which is 54.2 square miles in extent is the main elephant corridor from Wasgamuwa to the Minneriya national park.
However, plans are now underway to de-gazette this gazette notification and remove 4,000 acres from the Elahera-Girithale national park to distribute lands amongst the villagers.
According to environmentalists, once the lands are distributed it will obstruct the free movement of the wildlife especially the elephants.

Letter from by DWC on the decision to
distribute plots to the respective villagers.

“Once the main elephant corridor from Wasgamuwa to Minneriya is obstructed elephants would cross the national parks through the villages.
Since this sanctuary provides the much needed water and food for these elephants, once the land that is reserved for wildlife is taken away for the use of humans it would provoke the human-elephant conflict,” said Director Environment Conservation Trust, Sajeewa Chamikara.
This decision to de-gazette the sanctuary and to take away 4,000 acres had been taken on July 12, 2012 at a meeting held at the Divisional Secretariat Bakamuna by the Secretary Agrarian Services and Wildlife Ministry Udeni Wickremasinghe who is also the Acting Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“Wickremasinghe’s move to de-gazette and take away 4, 000 acres from Elahera-Girithale sanctuary is serious and unprecedented. If the motivation behind this plan is solely to give lands for the landless, why cannot he make a proposal to the Divisional Secretary to find out a proper crown land in the district for this purpose? What is this rush? A sanctuary is for the wild animals but not for the humans to live in. In the event lands are distributed from the Elahera- Girithale sanctuary, this could be the start of elephant-human conflict as this is the main elephant corridor from Wasgamuwa National Park to Minneriya National Park,” said Chamikara.
Meanwhile, Chamikara further accused Wickremasinghe for allowing a private party to remove granite from the sanctuary.
“Permissions have already been given for a private party. Once the quarry starts and detonates the rocks it would certainly disturb the wildlife and they will move away from the sanctuary.
Why cannot the DWC understand the gravity of this? If the lands that are meant for wildlife is taken away from them where have they to go? The wildlife department is violating the Fauna and Flora Ordinance,” added Chamikara.
According to Chamikara it is also an offence to carry out any development work within a sanctuary or 100 meters radius from the sanctuary boundary without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study.
“Apart from the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) rules and regulations, the gazette notification No: 859/ 14 of February 23, 1995 in accordance with the National Environmental Ordinance it is also an offence to carry out any development work within a sanctuary or 100 meters radius from the sanctuary boundary without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study,” Chamikara claimed.
Meanwhile Jagath Gunawardena Attorney-at-Law specializing in Environmental Studies said that road constructions, clearing of lands, engage in cultivating, erection of permanent or temporary buildings within a sanctuary is an offence.
“According to section 7 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (amended) No: 22 0f 2009 it is an offence to destroy wildlife habitat places and breeding grounds, destroy trees or to carry out any road or other permanent or temporary constructions within a sanctuary.
Within a sanctuary there can be private lands as well. But in this instance the villagers were living in state lands which were confirmed by the Divisional Secretary.
Hence there are no provisions for any person to give the legal ownership to any party. Once this is given the villagers will once again encroach the sanctuary little by little,” said Gunawardena.
Although Udeni Wickremasinghe claimed that this land has to be given back to the families that were occupying before it was declared as a sanctuary, questions have now been raised as to why the Agrarian Services and Wildlife Ministry is following a double standard for two segments that were living within two sanctuaries.
In order to protect the FFPO guidelines, the officers of the DWC has send an ultimatum to the Kahalla-Pallakele sanctuary encroachers in Irudeniyaya, Kurunegala to move out of the sanctuary in which they were living for the past 40 years before it was declared a sanctuary.
It was Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike that had given permissions for the Irudeniyaya villagers to settle in forest lands way back in 1972.
As in the case of families living within the Elahera-Girithale sanctuary, the families living in Kahalla-Pallakele sanctuary in the Kurunegala district too were living in state lands before it was gazetted in 1989.
However it is interesting, as to how these same wildlife officials are following a double standard for the encroachers in two sanctuaries.  When asked as to why the DWC is following double standard for the encroachers in two sanctuaries, Wickremasinghe said that Irudeniyaya villagers were asked to leave the sanctuary as they were living within an elephant corridor.
“Elahera-Girithale is not an elephant corridor but Irudeniyaya in the Kahalla-Pallakele sanctuary is an elephant corridor where these villagers are obstructing it.
That was why we sent an ultimatum for them,” said Wickremasinghe.  Although Wickremasinghe said that Elahera-Girithale is not an elephant corridor, Deputy Minister Wildlife and the Divisional Secretary Elahera accepted that Elahera-Giritale sanctuary is an elephant corridor.

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A new elephant corridor to be made
Accusing the DWC for including the areas where people were living to the sanctuary, Divisional Secretary Elahera A.K.D. Premalal said that priority has to be given to the people before considering the rights of the wild animals.
“Before talking about the living rights of the wild animals, we have to talk about the living rights of the people in these areas. We have already planned to make a new elephant corridor. These villagers were living here before the land was declared a sanctuary. It is the fault of the DWC.
These villagers were having licenses for these lands. We have already earmarked the area and nearly 4, 000 acres would be distributed amongst the 1041 families. Unlike in urban areas these people need more than 2 acres for agriculture purposes which is their source of income. That is why we have earmarked around 4, 000 acres for this purposes,” said Premalal.

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It is the Wildlife Department’s fault
According to Secretary Agrarian Services and Wildlife, Udeni Wickremasinghe it was the fault of the DWC to include this land area when it was declared as a sanctuary.
“Isn’t it humane to give the lands to the people who owned when it was declared as a sanctuary? This move is not against the Wildlife Ordinance. The wildlife officials would have not included this area when they were earmarking for the sanctuary. This is not an elephant corridor as claimed by the environmentalists and the NGOs.
Although they claim that we are going to distribute 4,000 acres it is not true. Only the land area where 1041 families are occupying will be given to them which is much lesser than 4, 000 acres,” said Wickremasinghe.

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A Presidential request
Deputy Minister Agrarian Services and Wildlife S.M. Chandrasena said that the land distribution will be done on a directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“At the District Development Committee meeting held in Matale, President Rajapaksa wanted to give the legal ownership of lands to the villagers in the area. Hence we are now planning to distribute the lands for those who lived there earlier before it was declared as a sanctuary. We also have to see an alternative as this is an elephant corridor,” said Chandrasena.

Clinical refuse has mixed with and contaminated the water

The Yudaganawa forest in Medirigiriya and the Gangoda Wewa – the main stream that carries water from the Minneriya tank has come under severe threat due to garbage dumping in the Yudaganawa forest, alleged Gayan Pradeep Wijetunga of Protection of Natural Resources Movement.
According to Wijetunga, Yudaganawa forest has now become the garbage dump of Medirigiriya and Hingurakgoda although several requests have been made to the respective authorities not to dump the garbage in the forest which will disturb the forest eco system.
“This is one of the main forests that feed the waterways which give water for many purposes especially for the people’s day to day use. In addition it feeds the waterways that take water to the Minneriya tanks as well.
Clinical refuse in Medirigiriya and Hingurakgoda hospitals too are dumped at this forest and these clinical refuse have mixed with the water. As a result, water in these water- ways have contaminated and cannot be used even for agriculture purposes,” said Wijetunge.
According to Wijetunge, more than 12 tractor loads of garbage is dumped in the Yudaganawa forest daily and during the rainy season the situation has turn from bad to worse. “We are in fear that the people living downstream will fall sick after using this water although we have alerted them what the consequences would be.  All attempts to get the stalled compost project which was initiated in 2010 spending Rs. 23 million failed to re-start,” said Wijetunge.