IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Appeal to the Supreme Court under and in terms of Article 128 of the Constitution against a Judgment of the Court of Appeal.

1. P.B.S. Dissanayake No. 241, Sri Sangaraja Mawatha, Colombo 10.

2. S.K. Senarathna No. C9, University Park, Mahakanda, Hidagala.

3. Y.M.A.K. Yapabandara No. 241, Sri Sangaraja Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Conducting business in the nature of a partnership under the name and style of “Uva Magnetite” at No. 241, Sri Sangaraja Mawahta, Colombo 10.

Petitioners SC Appeal No. 137/2017 SC (Spl.) LA No. 221/2011 CA Writ No. 814/2007 Vs.

1. Geological Survey & Mines Bureau No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

2. Dr. N.T.S. Wijesekera Chairman, Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

3. Dr. D.M.O.K. Dissanayake Director, Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

4. M.A.R.D. Jayathilake Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

5. Patalee Champika Ranawaka Minister, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

6. Director General Central Environmental Authority, ‘Parisara Piyasa’, No. 104, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla.

7. Sarath Fernando Conservator of Forests, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

8. Nilmini Attanayake Environmental Officer, ‘Parisara Piyasa’, No. 104, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla.

9. Anura de Silva Deputy Conservator of Forests, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla. 10. Dr. Preme Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

11. Anil Peries Deputy Director of Mining, Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

Respondents And now between Sarath Fernando Conservator General of Forests ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

7th Respondent – Appellant

7A. Hitisekara Mudiyanselage Piyasena Hitisekera Conservator General of Forests ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

1st Added Appellant

7B. Chandrasiri Weragoda Conservator General of Forests 'Sampath Paya', Battaramulla.

2nd Added Appellant Vs.

1. P.B.S. Dissanayake No. 241, Sri Sangaraja Mawatha, Colombo 10.

2. S.K. Senarathna No. C9, University Park, Mahakanda, Hidagala.

3. Y.M.A.K. Yapabandara No. 241, Sri Sangaraja Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Conducting business in the nature of a partnership under the name and style of “Uva Magnetite” at No. 241, Sri Sangaraja Mawahta, Colombo

10.

Petitioner – Respondents

1. Geological Survey & Mines Bureau No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

2. Dr. N.T.S. Wijesekera Chairman, Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

3. Dr. D.M.O.K. Dissanayake Director, Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

4. M.A.R.D. Jayathilake Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

5. Patalee Champika Ranawaka Minister, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla.

6. Director General Central Environmental Authority, ‘Parisara Piyasa’, No. 104, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla.

7. Nilmini Attanayake Environmental Officer, ‘Parisara Piyasa’, No. 104, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla.

8. Anura de Silva Deputy Conservator of Forests, ‘Sampath Paya’, Battaramulla. 9. Dr. Preme Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

10. Anil Peries Deputy Director of Mining, Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, No. 4, Galle Road, Dehiwala.

Respondents – Respondents Before: Hon. P. Padman Surasena, J.

Hon. Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, J.

Hon. Mahinda Samayawardena, J.

Counsel: Mahen Gopallawa, Deputy Solicitor General (as he then was) for the 7th Respondent – Appellant and for the 1st to 6th and 8th to 10th Respondent - Respondents.

Senaka de Saram with Gayathree Nawaratne and Shaheem Wazeer instructed by Upendra Gunasekera for the Petitioner – Respondents.

Argued on: 3rd August 2021 Written Submissions filed on: For the 7th Respondent – Appellant and for the 1st to

6th and 8th to 10th Respondent - Respondents on 24th January 2018 and 4th Ma