The Mahaweli Authority has informed the Court of Appeal that it has decided to return lands and forest areas used by the Veddah community back to them.
This decision was conveyed during proceedings of Case No. CA Writ 70/21, which was filed by Veddah leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ).
The case concerns allegations that forest lands traditionally used by the Veddah community in the “Galwalayaya” reserve area of Pollabedda–Rambakan Oya were leased to private companies for plantation activities.
Petitioners had also cited possible violations of environmental and forest conservation laws, including the National Environmental Act.
In court, the Mahaweli Authority stated that it would recover lands previously allocated to companies and restore them to the Veddah community for their traditional use.
The case, first filed in 2021, has continued over several years as part of ongoing legal and public advocacy efforts to protect the rights of the Veddah community.
While the latest decision marks a significant development, the petitioners continue to seek further relief, including accountability measures and court-ordered reforestation of affected areas.
The Court of Appeal has fixed the matter for further consideration on 25 September 2026 to examine the remaining requests.
