Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen received notifications from the Court of Appeal after a contempt of court application was filed against him for refusing to follow the court’s directives in the Wilpattu National Park case.
The Conservator General of the Department of Forest Conservation was ordered to implement a tree planting program in accordance with the Forest Ordinance in any area equivalent to the reserve forest area used for the re-settlement of IDPs by the Appeal Court in its judgment, which was issued on November 16, 2020.
The Court of Appeal further mandated that, in accordance with the polluter pays principle, the previous Minister Rishad Bathiudeen pay the whole cost of the tree-planting program in certain locations.
Notices were served on Rishad Bathiudeen when this contempt of court suit was heard by Court of Appeal Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar. The matter was set for support on June 28.
In response to Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen’s willful disregard for the Court of Appeal’s orders, which constitutes grave contempt of court punishable under Article 105(3) of the Constitution, the Center for Environmental Justice has filed a contempt of court application before the Court of Appeal.
The petitioner is asking for a ruling that would require the respondent to provide justification for avoiding facing punishment for contempt of court.
The Center for Environmental Justice was represented by senior attorney Ravindranath Dabare.
