The Supreme Court has ordered that a Fundamental Rights petition filed against alleged illegal mineral mining activities on Mannar Island be taken up for consideration on 10 February 2026.
The petition was filed by the Centre for environmental Justice (CEJ), a group led by Father Santiago Marcus of the Mannar Citizens’ Committee (MCC), along with several other residents of the area.
The case was called today (13) before a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Sampath Abeykoon, which fixed the matter for confirmation of facts on the said date.
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), its Director General, the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, the Mannar Divisional Secretary, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Attorney General have been named as respondents.
Petitioners’ Allegations
The petitioners allege that licences have been issued for mineral mining operations on Mannar Island without following due legal procedure. They claim that the area holds unique and high-value mineral deposits significant to Sri Lanka’s natural resource base.
According to the petition, the issuance of mining licences without a transparent tender process constitutes a violation of the law. The petitioners warn that such practices could enable foreign companies, through local intermediaries, to extract and export valuable minerals without value addition, leading to major economic losses for the country.
Reliefs Sought
The petitioners request the Court to:
- Declare that the fundamental rights of the people have been violated,
- Invalidate any licences granted without adhering to proper legal procedures,
- Direct the Central Environmental Authority to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment prior to the commencement of any mining activities, and
- Order the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau to suspend the issuance of new mining licences in the area until such assessments are completed.
The case will be called again on 10 February 2026 for further consideration.
