### Wedithalathive Nature Reserve Protections Restored 📈

The Government of Sri Lanka has officially rescinded the controversial Gazette (No. 2383/05) that sought to alter the boundaries of the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve. Following a legal challenge in the Supreme Court, the issuance of Gazette No. 2463/47 on November 21, 2025, effectively restores the reserve's original protected status. • Legal Landmark: The Supreme Court proceedings concluded on January 19, 2026, after the Attorney General confirmed the formal revocation. This follows a Fundamental Rights application filed by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) in June 2024. • Conservation vs. Industry: The rescinded plan had proposed removing approximately 418 acres (from the 29,180-hectare reserve) to facilitate an aquaculture industrial park for commercial prawn farming. • Ecological Significance: The decision safeguards critical "blue carbon" ecosystems, including Sri Lanka’s largest continuous mangrove forest, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. These areas are vital for: • Protecting the habitat of the endangered dugong. • Supporting the artisanal fishing industry and blue swimmer crab exports. • Providing a natural buffer against storm surges and climate change. • Outcome: The withdrawal of the legal case marks a victory for environmental governance, ensuring that the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve remains intact under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.