29.09.2021
PRESS RELEASE – CA WRIT 423/21
Case Filed by the Center For Environmental Justice and Others in the Court of Appeal Against The Release of Elephants to Those Who Claim To Be Their Private Owners
- Registration of Elephants is restricted until further notice.
- “Sujeewa” and the calf will remain under custody and care of the Department of Zoological Gardens and Department of Wildlife Conservation.
When the case was taken up today (29) before Hon. Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Hon. Dhammika Ganepola, Judges of the Court of Appeal, several parties claiming to be the private owners of the elephants filed requests to intervene in the case.
After considering their requests, the court decided to include them too in the case while notifying the petitioners to submit any objections which they may have within 02 weeks of time.
The Hon. Court issued an order to further retain “Sujeewa” and her calf under the care of Department of Wildlife Conservation and Zoological Department and also not to register any of the 14 elephants released by the magistrate courts until further notice.
Centre for Environmental Justice, Withanage Don Hemantha Ranjith Sisira Kumara, Pathragoda Kankanamge Dilena, Panchali Madurangi Panapitiya, Maheshi Nalinka Munasinghe and Wadduwage Visakha Perera Tillekeratne, were among the petitioners. Hon. Wimalaweera Dissanayake – State Minister of Wildlife Protection, Chandana Sooriyabandara – Director General of Wildlife Conservation, Director General Department of National Zoological Gardens, Officer-in-Charge – Special Investigation No. 01 Criminal Investigation Department, C. D Wickramaratne – Inspector General of Police, Hon. S.Prabakaran – Additional Magistrate, Hon. C. Wickramanayake – Magistrate, Hon. Attorney General, were sighted as the respondents.
For more information, please contact
Mr. Ravindranath Dabare,(AAL) – Chairperson of CEJ (077307850)
Ms. Nilmal Wickramasinghe (AAL) – Directoress CEJ – (077 3930820).
Center for Environmental Justice
