Chathura Gunaratne, who was serving as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Herathgama Forest Reserve Office, has been transferred following reported pressure from the political establishment.
Residents of the area visited the Polpithigama Divisional Secretariat today, appealing to the Divisional Secretary to have the officer reassigned to the Kahalla-Pallekele Reserve Zone.
On August 20, Hiru News revealed that nearly 40 individuals were illegally occupying sections of the watershed of the Hakwatuna Oya Tank Reserve, which is part of the Kahalla-Pallekele Reserve Zone in the Kurunegala District.
Wildlife officers responsible for the Herathgama site had taken legal action against those occupying the reserve unlawfully. It is reported that OIC Chathura Gunaratne decided to leave the site after coming under political pressure.
A group of villagers had also lodged complaints with the Pansiyagama Police against fellow villagers who disclosed information about the illegal occupation. Those individuals were subsequently summoned to the police on the 24th for an inquiry.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne had recently criticized the manner in which OIC Chathura Gunaratne was carrying out his duties.
In this backdrop, Chathura Gunaratne has now been transferred to the Assistant Director’s Office of the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Kurunegala.
Despite the transfer, residents once again visited the Polpithigama Divisional Secretariat today to reiterate their request that the officer be reassigned to the Kahalla-Pallekele Reserve Zone.
