Sri Lanka, June 21 -- The Court of Appeal yesterday decided to proceed with the writ petition filed challenging the construction of reservoirs and roads within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve during former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's regime.

When the matter was taken up before Justice Gihan Kulatunga, notices were issued to the respondents, including the Conservator General of Forests, the Central Environmental Authority and the Minister of Environment.

On August 8, 2025 the Attorney General informed court that the authorities will not construct new roads and repair any existing road network within the Sinharaja forest.

The Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its Executive Director Hemantha Withanage filed this petition naming ...