J.T.D. Danawansha vs. N. Pathmanathan et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 207/2012-2020

In the case between J.T.D. Danawansha (Petitioner) and N. Pathmanathan (Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment), J.R.B. Dissanayake (Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment), and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether administrative authority over “residue forests” could lawfully be vested in the Conservator General of Forests via Circular No. 5/2001 (‘P8’) and whether the Petitioner’s quarrying site constituted “forest” under Sri Lankan law. It was held that the relevant state land qualifies as “forest,” and that the administrative vesting pursuant to ‘P8’ was within the statutory authority of the Secretary, Ministry of Environment. The holding reaffirmed the principle that executive circulars assigning administrative responsibility over state forests are vali