Since last couple of years, the A.M.A.P Siriwardana has been operating an unauthorized sewerage facility on a land in extent of 20 perches at Bandarawela Road, approximately 20 feet from the bank of Attanagalu Oya at Dandugama. Said sewerage facility discharges around 100,000 liters of hazardous waste water to the Attanagalu Oya. A.M.A.P Siriwardana had not obtained any required authorizations, trade permit, environmental clearance and building approval from any statutory authorities or local authorities prior to the commencement of said facility and had continued to operate and discharge wastewater to Attanagalu Oya. A.M.A.P Siriwardana has continued the operation of the said facility without any authorizations or clearances and one or more several respondents have failed to inquire in to such complaints and to take any action against the A.M.A.P Siriwardana to prevent the violation of the law. As per the Section 23A (1) of the National Environmental Act as amended read with Gazette Notification 1533/16 dated 25.01.2008 and Gazette notification No.1534/18 dated 01.02.2008, ‘Common wastewater (industrial or sewage) treatment plant’ shall not be carried on by any person otherwise than under the authority of a license issued by the CEA, and in accordance with such standards and criteria prescribed under Act. Petitioners have prayed an interim order to stay the operations of the sewerage facility operated by the A.M.A.P Siriwardana, suspending the approval, permits and licenses which have been granted to the A.M.A.P Siriwardana to carry out the operations at the said location, make order in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus directing the relevant Respondents to act in terms of the Law and take necessary measures and perform their statutory duties.
On 03.02.2023 Counsel who appears for the Respondents informed the court that no license has been issued for the Eco septic company. Furthermore, the relevant government authorities have filed a case in Welisara Magistrate court against Eco septic Company. The Court directed Respondents to file a motion including the steps they have taken regarding the issue.
The operation of the sedges releasing is stopped now as a result of the case filed by the CEJ and further, Central Environmental Authority also filed a case in Welisara Magistrate court as a result of the intervention of CEJ to the matter. This case is fixed for support on 16.05.2024.
