Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi

## Summary The Minister of Environment responded to a complaint filed by Hon. Ajith P. Perera regarding a three-wheeler service station operating near a residential property in the Kalutara District. Following multiple field inspections conducted between October 2025 and January 2026, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) found that the original licence holder, Mr. G. Prasanna Jayasiri, had died, and the station was being operated by a hired worker under his widow, Mrs. Chamila Adhikari. The CEA issued a letter on 02.02.2026 directing Mrs. Adhikari to submit the original Environmental Protection Licence (No. WE–C01249(R4)) along with a death certificate and ownership documents to the CEA within 21 days. The Minister noted that further regulatory action will be determined after reviewing the documents expected in response to that letter, with an ongoing land dispute related to the premises also being heard before the Panadura Magistrate's Court under Case No. 2918.

Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi tabled a written answer detailing the bicentennial commemoration of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, which began in 1822 and was marked throughout 2022–2023 with events including flower shows, cultural ceremonies, educational programmes, and the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp. The total expenditure on commemorative materials amounted to Rs. 7,211,360, covering plaques and books. The minister confirmed that remaining commemorative items are being utilised as gifts at official events and sold through botanic garden outlets, with plaques offered at revised prices from April 2024.

Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi tabled the Annual Report of the State Timber Corporation for the year 2024 and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources. The motion was put to a vote and agreed to by the House.

The Minister of Environment, Hon. Dammika Patabendi, proposed that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assume the Chair of the Committee. The motion was put to a vote, agreed to, and the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees vacated the Chair, with Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake taking over accordingly.