Centre for Eco-Cultural Studies & Justice for Animals vs. Hon. Wimalaweera Dissanayake et al. – CA WRIT 420/2021-2024

In the case between Centre for Eco-Cultural Studies and Justice for Animals (among other Petitioners) and various State officials including Hon. Wimalaweera Dissanayake, the court addressed the legality of the Fauna and Flora (Protection, Well-being and Regularization of Registration of Tamed Elephants) Regulations No. 01 of 2021. The court held that specific regulatory provisions governing the registration and licensing of tamed elephants are ultra vires the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO), thereby invalidating them. It was reaffirmed that administrative regulations must strictly adhere to the enabling statutory authority and broader constitutional mandates. The decision was based on the statutory framework of the FFPO and emphasized legal safeguards against retroactive regula