The Court of Appeal has directed the Jaffna Municipal Council to take urgent steps to reduce air pollution in the city, with a specific order to refrain from burning garbage.
The ruling was issued yesterday in connection with a writ petition filed by medical practitioner Dr. Umasugi Nadarajah. The case was heard before Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando.
The Court had earlier instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to monitor air quality in Jaffna and present its findings. Submitting its report, the CEA informed the Court that air quality levels in several parts of the country, including Jaffna, are unsatisfactory.
The petitioner cited an NBRO report titled “Monitoring of Ambient Air Quality Levels at Nallur Area, Jaffna” (dated June 19, 2023), which revealed that air quality in the region severely exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines during peak hours between 6.00 a.m.–9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.–6.00 p.m., mainly due to domestic and vehicular activity.
Dr. Nadarajah further argued that under Section 46 of the Municipal Councils Ordinance, the Jaffna Municipal Council is legally bound to safeguard public health by preventing hazardous smoke emissions, while also ensuring proper cleanliness of public and private streets within its authority.
Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioner.
