The Mahaweli Authority has decided to return lands and forest areas used by the Veddah community back to them, the Court of Appeal was informed yesterday (26).
The decision was conveyed by the Mahaweli Authority during proceedings in case No. CA Writ 70/21, filed before the Court of Appeal by Veddah leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ).
The case was filed over the alleged violation of the rights of the Veddah community following the leasing of forest lands within the “Galwalayaya” reserve in the Pollabedda–Rambakan Oya area, traditionally used by the community, to various companies for plantation activities by the Mahaweli Authority.
The petition also cited alleged violations of several laws, including the National Environmental Act and forest conservation laws.
Submitting documents to the Court of Appeal yesterday, the Mahaweli Authority informed court that it had decided to recover lands previously allocated to companies in areas used by the Veddah community and return them to the community.
The case was originally filed in 2021 over alleged injustices faced by the Veddah community. The development was presented as the outcome of years of demands, advocacy, and legal efforts continuing up to 2026.
Wannila Aththo had continuously pursued the matter alongside the Centre for Environmental Justice.
However, the CEJ and the Veddah community continue to seek further relief through the petition, including legal action against those responsible and court orders requiring reforestation of the affected areas at the expense of the parties responsible.
The Court ordered that the matter be called again on 25 September 2026 for consideration of the remaining relief sought.
Commenting on the decision, Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare welcomed the Mahaweli Authority’s move, stating that forest lands used by the Veddah community for generations, which had been earmarked for plantation activities, would now be restored for the community’s use, allowing nature to recover.
Senior Counsel Dabare appeared for the petitioners together with Attorneys-at-Law Savanthi Ponnamperuma, Kanchana Balachandra, and a team of lawyers.
