Court extends order banning garbage disposal at Muthurajawela wetlands until 25 July

The Supreme Court yesterday extended the interim injunction banning the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) from dumping garbage at the Muthurajawela sanctuary.

A three-judge bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice Priyasath Dep extended the order until 25 July when the bench heard a fundamental rights petition filed against the CMC.

The fundamental rights petition demanding an injunction was filed on 15 June by 35 petitioners including residents living in close proximity to the Muthurajawela Sanctuary and religious leaders of places of worship in the Ja-Ela area.

The petitioners had cited the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), CMC Municipal Commissioner, Urban Development Authority (UDA), Central Environment Authority (CEA), Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha, Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development, Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Irrigation Department Director General, Assistant Divisional Secretary, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Attorney General as respondents.