Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited. vs Mr. Chandana Sooriyabandara and others. – CA Writ 738/2023-2025

In the matter of the Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited and the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the court addressed the issue of alleged illegal settlements and constructions within Wilpattu National Park. The court held that these activities contravened Sections 5 and 6(1) of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and that the Director General failed in statutory duties to enforce the law. This decision reaffirmed the principle that statutory duties must be performed to protect national parks. This decision relied on the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, emphasizing that the rule of law must be upheld even in contexts involving displaced persons, and that illegal constructions within protected areas warrant mandatory enforcement actions.

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