Gampaha DCC decides to take over Muthurajawela Sensitive Zone area claimed by private party

By Ifham Nizam

The Gampaha District Coordinating Committee on Wednesday (27) decided to take over the part of the Muthurajawela Environmentally Sensitive Zone, which is said to be owned by a private party. It has done so to prevent constructions in that section of the marsh, a senior environmentalist said.

He said that the decision had been taken at a meeting chaired by Western Province Governor Air Marshal (retd.) Roshan Goonetileke and District Coordinating Committee Chairman Sahan Pradeep Withana.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently said that action would be taken against any person who tried to damage environmentally sensitive places.

According to MP Sahan Pradeep Withana the government has decided to take over the privately owned sector in the area.

Governor Goonetileke has stated that the police should take necessary action regarding the decision and that no complaints are required for action to be taken.

Lalith Wickramaarachchi, Attorney-at-Law, Western Regional Assistant Director, Department of Wildlife Conservation, explained the current situation in Muthurajawela.

Gampaha District Secretary Sunil Jayalath and people’s representatives in the Muthurajawela area pointed out that there had been a massive protest against the environmental damage being caused to the wetland.