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| Tuesday, 23 November 2004 |
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by Florence Wickramage The construction of the "Sethusamudram" Shipping Canal Project by India is bound to adversely affect both India and Sri Lanka since the area to be brought under construction is rich in bio-diversity and environmentally important to both countries, says Chief Organiser of the Green Movement of Sri Lanka Suranjan Kodituwakku. A release issued by the Movement states that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the project prepared by the Indian Institute NEERI was inadequate. While accepting the fact that Sri Lanka does not have any intention to obstruct projects economically beneficial to India and that this project hopefully would not obstruct India-Sri Lanka relationships, the Movement says that its main intention is to highlight the environmental and social impact the project would have on both countries. The press release states,"This project may have adverse effects on the geographical and ecological setting of Sri Lanka. Since India has declared this as a project in their national development programme, we, the GMSL suggest that both countries should sit together to arrive at options to minimise the environmental and social impact of the project on both countries". The GMSL has pledged their support to a process, which could reach consensus of both countries to protect the environment, bio-diversity and social well-being of both Sri Lankan and Indian fisher-folk. In the meantime the Green Movement of Sri Lanka has addressed letters on this subject to the Prime Ministers of both India and Sri Lanka, the Environment and Natural Resources Ministers of both countries, the Green Peace International, the NGOs and People's Organizations in both countries. |
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