Environment lobby files writ petition against Port City

Tuesday, 31 October 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notices returnable for 13 December on the Sri Lanka Port Authority, Director General of Coast Conservation and Coastal Management, Central Environmental Authority, Board of Investment and China Harbour Engineering Port City Ltd. in respect of the writ petition pertaining to the Colombo Port City Development.

The bench comprised justices L.T.B. Dehideniya (CA President) and A.L. Shiran Gooneratne.

The writ application was filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice (Guarantee) Ltd. complaining of the damage and impact on the State and the environment.

The Court on 8 October directed the Attorney General to submit a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment report.

Deputy Solicitor General Arjuna Obeysekera, who appeared for the Attorney General on 7 August, gave assent to the Court that the State would make a decision on the activities of the Colombo Port City Development Project after having elicited the public’s comments.

The Petitioner cited the Sri Lanka Port Authority, Director General of Coast Conservation and Coastal Management, Central Environmental Authority, Board of Investment, China Harbour Engineering Port City Ltd. and the Attorney General as respondents. Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioner.