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| Monday, 11 August 2003 |
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'The drinking water in Kalpitiya has been polluted with the mixing of nitrate and nitrate and it will affect the health of the children who will be born in the future.' This was revealed by A. H. M. Azwer, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and chairman District Development Council at a meeting of the DDC held recently. Minister Azwer said that geologists and medical experts pointed out that the water has been polluted because of the mixing of 'nitrate' and 'nitrate'. The reason was the pattern of agricultural cultivation adopted in the area. It was further revealed that 74 per cent of the 225 infants who faced a survey that the percentage of the 'haemoglobin' in the blood has been increased and as a result of this, there will be childbirths with deformity. He further said that agriculture is still one of the largest sectors in our economy. However, the importance of the sector is measured in terms of the contribution to the Gross Domestic Production has been declined over past two decades. The farming communities such as small farmers, commercial farmers, and private sector agro-based companies demand and adopt bio-technology differently from each other. Minister Azwer drew the attention of the participants that although the biotechnology has great promise for human welfare, it poses the potential risk to human health and to the environment. Groups involved in environmental protection have been warned about the increasing global destruction of the various ecosystems. Since there are no natural water resources like streams and rivers, residents have to be satisfied with only with rainwater. It is essential to understand the behaviour of people that we have to deal with, since about 60,000 refugees to the present population of the lagoon have been added and encroached. This needs a good understanding of social behaviour and careful study of malpractices of hygienic disorder and post sanitary conditions due to indiscriminately digging of lavatory pits and continuous wrongful human activities. This can be addressed by educating people by changing their attitudes and protecting their health, Minister Azwer said. Medical experts have pointed out that even with large acreage of wetlands in the district, the residents of this area are facing challenges of deteriorating of qualitative and quantitative pure drinking water. Today, many wetland ecosystems in Sri Lanka are being indiscriminately exploited for commercial, agricultural, residential and industrial development at an alarming rate. There is neither specific legislation nor a single responsible agency for the management of wetlands. On conclusion Minister Azwer appealed to the members that this is the most opportune time to summon a higher level conference to discuss this danger and to take remedial steps which warrant immediate attention. Jayalath R. W. Dissanayake District Secretary, Puttalam, Member of Parliament Mrs. Larine Perera, Neomal Perera, Sugath Tissera and Jayasritha Tissera were present. |
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