Centre for Environmental Justice & 03 Others Vs Secretary, Ministry of Mahaweli Development & Environment & 03 others.
This case was filed in the Supreme Court against violation of fundamental rights by the Uma oya multi-purpose project conducted in collaboration with government of Iran. The main objectives of the project are to supply of electricity to the national Grid and to provide water supply for South Eastern dry zone area. More than 7500 houses are already damage & about 20000 families in Banadarawela & Badulla area are suffering from adverse effects of this project.
Especially, wells, founts and water sources are dried up & burst of walls, floors of houses and earth, destruction of entire paddy & farm area are visible due to absence of water resources.
Presently, thousands of people have been displaced by reason of existing critical damages. At the previous court hearing we have requested the relevant Government authorities to produce a detailed report on the next date as to what measures have been taken to remedy this damage. Hon. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has ordered the Project Proponent and Ministry of Mahaweli & Environment (Respondents in Uma oya matter which was filed against adverse impacts of Uma oya multipurpose project), to provide water facility to all aggrieved people before 31st of December 2016. but the construction pertaining to water supply is still being operated very slowly. Attorney General Department represented all the government respondents and they move for the further dates for complete the whole water supply project. Uwa Provincial Agrarian Department have already valued about 8 million Rupees for selected 1000 farmers. This matter will be called on 29/05/2017 to consider the progress of the crop compensation & water supply. Case was fixed for support and court directed AG to submit the further progress report. Bar Association of Sri Lanka has been already intervene the case on behalf of the aggrieved party & they filed their invention petition to the court.
