The Court of Appeal today (16) declared that the deforestation of Kallaru, Wilpattu is illegal. In a win for environmentalists the Court of Appeal ordered former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to reforest the area using his personal funds.
Bathiudeen was accused of clearing close to 2000 hectares in Wilpattu and illegally settling 1,500 families in the cleared area under the pretext of resettlement of internally displaced people (IDP)
