The contempt of court application against former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, regarding his compliance with Court of Appeal orders related to the Wilpattu National Park case, was withdrawn by the petitioner, the Center for Environmental Justice.
The petitioner retains the right to file a fresh application if deemed necessary. The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim order suspending the operation of the Court of Appeal's orders related to a tree plantation program.
The withdrawal of the contempt application was approved by Court of Appeal Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Chamath Morais. Bathiudeen had appealed the legality of the Court of Appeal's decision in the Supreme Court, which issued the interim order.
Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare represented the Center for Environmental Justice, and President’s Counsel Faisz Musthapha appeared for Bathiudeen.
