EIA required for projects in an eco-system : Dr. Senaratne

COLOMBO (News1st): An environmental impact assessment must be carried out for constructions taking place in a sensitive eco-system, Dr Janaka Senaratne, the secretary of the National Intellectuals Organization has said. "I saw social media posts of a title deed suggesting that this is taking place on private land," Dr Senaratne said referring to a recent project in the Sinharaja forest reserve that has sparked controversy. He pointed out that, according to lawyers, the deed had been obtained only in July 2020, and that the document circulating on social media does not seem to be legal. Ven. Wawwe Wijetunge Thero, of the National Intellectuals Organization, said that wealthy and powerful individuals are exploiting their status to destroy the environment. "Nowadays, environmental destruction is taking place by allowing individuals with links to those in power to occupy lands," he noted.