A set of regulations relating to the Wild Elephant Management Zone

2026-03-16 - 16:27

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today (16) that a Gazette notification containing a set of regulations relating to the Hambantota Wild Elephant Management Zone has been prepared. This notification was made by the Deputy Solicitor General representing the State when a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Environmental Justice Centre and residents of the relevant area was taken up today. The petition seeks an order directing that a set of regulations governing the maintenance of the Hambantota Wild Elephant Management Zone be gazetted. The petition was taken up before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Achala Wengappuli, and Justice Priyantha Fernando. When the petition was previously taken up in November, the petitioners informed the Court that a Gazette notification should be issued specifying the activities that are permitted and prohibited within the Hambantota Wild Elephant Management Zone. Accordingly, when the matter was taken up today, Deputy Solicitor General Dr Avanthi Perera, appearing for the respondents, informed the Court that the relevant Gazette notification has now been prepared and that a copy would be submitted to the Court. At that point, Attorney Ravindranath Dabare, appearing for the petitioners, told the Court that time should be granted to study the regulations and present observations. Accepting the request, the bench granted the petitioners permission to study the set of regulations and submit their observations. The Court ordered that the petition be taken up again on 14 September.