The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 (a) (i) According to the said complaint, on 16.01.2026, a field inspection was carried out with the participation of both parties. The observations of the said field inspection are as follows: - At the time the field inspection was carried out, activities were being carried out at the three-wheeler service station. - The complainant’s house is situated in close proximity to this industrial premises. - In relation to this service station, this Authority has renewed the Environmental Protection Licence bearing No. WE-C01249(R4) dated 23.05.2025, valid from 07.05.2025 to 16.01.2027. - It was revealed during the field inspection that the industrialist has now passed away. - As stated by the complainant party and by Mrs. Chamila Adhikari, the wife of the deceased industrial owner, in respect of the land on which this industry is situated, a land case with the complainant party is being heard before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court under Case No. 2918. - According to the statement made by Mrs. Chamila Adhikari, after the death of her husband, the three-wheeler service station is being operated by employing a worker.

¶ 02 According to the observations of the field inspection carried out on 16.01.2026, a letter dated 02.02.2026 was sent to Mrs. Chamila Adhikari, the wife of the late G. Prasanna Jayasiri, informing her to implement the following recommendations within 21 days. The letter is placed in the Library.

¶ 03 Recommendations: - Since the industrialist, Mr. G. Prasanna Jayasiri, had passed away, the original copy of the Environmental Protection Licence bearing No. WE-C01249(R4) and dated 23.05.2025 issued to him by the Central Environmental Authority, together with a copy of the death certificate, should be submitted to the Central Environmental Authority. - The documents relating to the present ownership of the service station should be submitted to the Central Environmental Authority.

¶ 04 (ii) Irrelevant. (iii) The complaint submitted by Mr. Ajith P. Perera, Attorney-at-Law, was received by the Kalutara District Office on 11.09.2025 through the Complaints Coordination Unit of the Head Office. Accordingly, the complaint was inspected on 28.10.2025 by the officers of the Kalutara District Office, and at that time the three-wheeler service station was closed. The said industry was again inspected on 26.11.2025, and on that occasion, the industry was in operation. However, the complainant party was not at home. Thereafter, the complainant telephoned the office and, as he was not met, asked the officers to visit again for a field inspection. In accordance with that request, a field inspection was carried out again on 16.01.2026 with the participation of both parties, and by letter dated 02.02.2026, the Central Environmental Authority informed Mrs. Chamila Adhikari, the wife of Mr. Prasanna Jayasiri, to implement the recommendations relevant to Question No. (ii) above, within 21 days. (v) Further action in respect of the complaint received regarding this industry will be taken after considering the reports and documents expected to be submitted by the wife of the industrialist in response to the letter dated 02.02.2026 issued to her by the Central Environmental Authority.

¶ 05 (b) Irrelevant.