The Department of Wildlife Conservation has initiated legal action against the Department of Irrigation over the destruction of trees near Nelumwewa in Eluwankulama, within the buffer zone of Wilpattu National Park.
The case has been filed in the Puttalam Magistrate's Court under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
A joint field inspection involving the Ministry of Environment found that around 110 trees had been burned and felled.
Reportedly affected trees included 61 large Kumbuk trees, 24 Bakmi trees and two Madan trees.
The bund of the tank managed by the Irrigation Department had previously collapsed following disasters associated with Cyclone Ditwah, and the tree removal occurred while restoration work was being carried out.
According to current reporting, prior approval or an environmental recommendation had not been obtained from the Department of Wildlife Conservation or Central Environmental Authority for the restoration project.
The Wanathawilluwa Divisional Secretary has also lodged a complaint concerning the incident.
The filing of the case constitutes the start of legal proceedings and does not itself establish criminal liability.
---