Wilpattu encroachment: court orders removal of illegal settlers and structures

The Court of Appeal has issued a significant ruling against illegal encroachments within the Wilpattu National Park, according to a press release by the Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL), which filed the case.

The Court has ordered the Department of Wildlife Conservation to immediately remove all unauthorised settlers from within the National Park's boundaries and to initiate legal action against them.

Furthermore, the Court directed that all illegal structures, including a large-scale unauthorised settlement comprising houses, a church, and a community hall in Block V of the park, must be dismantled. The authorities are also required to rehabilitate the damaged area.

The Survey Department has also been mandated to correctly survey the park's boundaries and install permanent boundary markers.

The case was filed by the EFL, challenging the construction of the large-scale illegal settlement and the failure of the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against the encroachment.