Clearing of traditional Vedda habitats Pollebedda-Ramabakenoya

April 05, 2022

The writ petition filed by Uruwarige WannilaAththo, the leader of the indigenous population known as 'Veddas', challenging the clearing of the lands at Pollebedda-Rambakenoya was yesterday fixed for argument by the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal bench comprising Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepolafixed the petition for argument on September 7. The Court of Appeal had earlier issued notices on several respondents including Mahaweli Development Authority regarding this writ petition. Wannila Aththo and Center for Environmental Justice had filed this writ petition challenging the clearing of the lands at Pollebedda-Rambaken Oya area for a Proposed Agricultural and Livestock Development Project. The petitioners are seeking an order staying the validity of approvals granted to Mahaweli Authority to clear the relevant lands for the proposed Agriculture, Livestock Development Project. Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioner. Filing this petition through counsel Ravindranath Dabare, the petitioners have named the Central Environmental Authority, Mahaweli Development Authority, Department of Forests, Department of WildLifeConservation, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, RAN Plantations (Pvt) Ltd and several others as respondents. The RAN Plantations (Pvt) Ltd had told court that the Company utilised abandoned lands which were earlier used for chena cultivation. The petitioners said that deforestation and development have greatly contributed to the shrinking of their traditional lands. This has caused a progressive decline in their number, and the community is at risk of losing its ancient traditions, which have been handed down from generation to generation.

Clearing of traditional Vedda habitats Pollebedda-Ramabakenoya

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