Re-export of waste containers halted

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order against the re-export and relocation of the waste containers currently at the Colombo Harbour and the Katunayake Free Trade Zone.

The ruling was delivered by a two-member bench led by President of the Appeals Court judge Yasantha Kodagoda, after the Writ of Mandamus filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice was taken up for hearing today.

The bench also approved the examination of the petition while respondents cited in the writ were issued notice to appear before the Appeals Court on the 20th of September.

The Centre for Environmental Justice calls for legal action to be taken against those responsible for importing the waste.

The petitioners also requested Court to issue an order to relevant authorities to ensure a suitable legal system is in place to prevent the importation of such material in future.