President orders to halt all construction and reclamation work around Muthurajawela Sanctuary

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena issued instructions today, to cease all the activities of construction and landfill which are paving the way for environmental pollution around the Muthurajawela Sanctuary. This morning (March 22) the president inspected the sanctuary. The president has ordered to revoke all the permits that have been issued by any government organisation to fill any land around the area. President Sirisena has instructed relevant authorities to take disciplinary actions against the government officers who have already sponsored such acts which pollute the environment, or those who are still giving assistance for such harmful actions. The president made a deep study on the issue and undertook this visit following repeated media reports on acts of environmental pollution that were occurring near Muthurajawela Reserve. President Sirisena instructed the Inspector General of Police to provide special security through the Police Special Task Force, and to erect barriers on the roads leading to the wetlands in order to prevent environmentally harmful acts from taking place.