National Environmental (Amendment) Act 2026 · As enacted
31. Insertion of new section 24Ba in the principal enactment
Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.
Official translationFrom Department of Government Printing, unchanged
The following new section is inserted immediately after section 24B of the principal enactment and shall have effect as section 24Ba of that enactment:-
24Ba. (1) Where-
the Director-General is of the view;
or
a complaint is received in writing from a member of the public and the
Director-General having examined the matters is of the view, that there exists a public inconvenience or a threat, harm or an injury has been caused or is likely to be caused to the environment from any construction done in contravention of the provisions of this Act, the Director-General shall make an application to the Magistrate having jurisdiction to grant an order to demolish such construction.
Every application for a demolition order shall be subjected to section 23E or 23DD and be accompanied by a Certificate under the hand of the Director-General setting out all facts relevant to the application. The Certificate of the Director-General shall be admissible in evidence and shall be prima facie proof of the matters contained therein.
“Removal of unauthorized constructions harmful to the environment
The Magistrate on being satisfied with the contents of the application and the
Certificate submitted under subsection (2)
may issue an order to demolish the said unauthorized construction.
The person to whom the order has been referred to shall be responsible to proceed to demolish such construction within the period of time as may be specified in such order and to inform the Authority of such demolition.
In any case where such person fails to comply with the order for demolition, the
Magistrate shall forthwith order the fiscal of the court requiring and authorizing such fiscal before the date specified in such order not being a date earlier than three or later than seven clear days from the date of issue of such order, to demolish such construction. Such order shall be sufficient authority for the said fiscal or any police officer authorized by the
Magistrate to assist the fiscal in that behalf to enter the premises and execute such order.
The Court may order the person responsible to take corrective measures as may be determined by Court, to restore the damages caused to the environment and to furnish to court sufficient and acceptable proof of such corrective measures.”.