Villagers affected by Uma Oya Project: SC fixes rights petition for 17 Oct.

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court on 29 September fixed for 17 October the fundamental rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice, and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, who are residents of the Bandarawela area victimised as a result of the Uma Oya multipurpose project. 

The bench comprised Justice B.P. Aluvihara, Sisira J. De Abrew and Anil Gooneratne.

The Attorney General in February apprised the Supreme Court on the progress of the water projects, compensation and general relief to the farmers and villagers affected as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The Supreme Court on 7 December last year directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to expedite the payments of compensation before 28 February to the affected farmers for their crop loss as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The court on 14 September directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to take necessary measures to pay compensation to the affected farmers for their crop loss as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The court on 4 July directed that pipeline water should be supplied before 31 December to villagers who are adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project and compensation should be paid to the affected farmers through the Mahaweli Authority.

The petitioners complain that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed, they have lost access to clean drinking water.

Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment N. Rupasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation and Agriculture, the Central Environment Authority and the Attorney General are cited as respondents.

Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioners. Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam appeared for the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Rukshan Senadheera and Saranee Gunatilake appeared for the intervenient-petitioner BASL Secretary Amal Randeniya, who intervened in the public and national interest.