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Seetawaka PS quarries give residents a headache

by Hanwella group correspondent

Large scale mechanised metal quarries operated by quarry owners in the Seetawaka Pradeshiya Sabha area have caused a host of social, economic, health and environmental problems to people in the area, residents have complained. The worst affected are people in Kahahena, Mawathagama and Pitumpe, they said.

The walls of the shrine room and the staircase of the Dharma Mandiraya at the Sri Susiriwardhanaramaya Temple have cracked due to the vibrations caused by rock blasting carried out at a quarry in Kahahena.

This quarry stopped its operations briefly on the orders of the Hanwella Divisional Secretary A. Ramanayake and the Central Environmental Authority following representations made by the temple's chief incumbent Ven. Kahahene Medhananda, Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake thera of Sinadi Sivu Korale. But it has again resumed operations following Ramanayake's recent transfer to another area. Residents complained that rock blasting at Arabigala in Mawathagama, Padukka, has resulted in the drying up of natural water sources, seriously affecting paddy cultivation in the area.

Even public wells in Annasigalahena in Pitumpe are slowly drying up due to the effects of five large scale quarries in the area.

Residents complained that often rock splinters get thrown on to roads and the surrounding houses during blasting posing a live danger to the residents as many quarry owners pay scant regard to the safety standards specified by the authorities.

It is time that authorities looked into the problem and provide a solution to the satisfaction of all, residents said.

Factory waste a hazard, say villagers

by Avissawella group correspondent

The affluent water and factory waste of the Talduwa Estate Rubber Factory flows direct into the Seetavaka river. This is a environment and health problem, villagers around the estate said.

The water not only pollutes the water of Seetavaka Ganga but also water in wells.

Residents said devices were adopted earlier to purify the water before being released to the Seetavaka Ganga.The management has given up this system and allows the free flow of water, residents who have protested against this to the estate management alleged.

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