The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the Gampaha District Coordination Committee and Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe, and was held yesterday (March 12) at the Gampaha District Secretariat.
During the discussions, attention was drawn to the legal powers and responsibilities of several institutions involved in protecting the wetland ecosystem. These included the Central Environmental Authority, Negombo Municipal Council, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Urban Development Authority, Department of Agrarian Development, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Sri Lanka Police and the Regional Irrigation Engineer’s Office.
The committee also examined issues relating to unauthorized constructions and the misuse of permits in the area.
Proposals discussed at the meeting highlighted the need to strengthen legal frameworks, gazette notifications and regulations, while improving coordination among relevant institutions to ensure the long-term protection of the Muthurajawela wetlands.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment submitted several recommendations to the sub-committee for further action.
The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament Lasith Bhashana Gamage and Stepni Fernando, Gampaha District Secretary Lalinda Gamage, District Planning Director Samantha Senanayaka, as well as senior officials from provincial administrative and police authorities.
