By Ifham Nizam
Senior officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Department yesterday expressed concern over a directive that they should seek the State Ministry Secretary’s approval prior to taking legal actions against those who harm protected areas.
Representatives of the two departments are attempting to meet President Gotabya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek redress.
An official said: “Some of our colleagues have been charge-sheeted for taking action against culprits who harmed the riverine forest habitats in Polonnaruwa and the Floodplains National Park. We have to uphold the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and we don’t need to get the approval from anyone to act according to the Ordinance.”