CEA to act promptly on complaints

BY FLORENCE Wickramage

THE Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will take immediate action on complaints received from the general public regarding acts of nuisance, harassment directed at them by any person or institution through incidents of violations of natural eco-systems and the environment.

For this purpose the CEA has established a Hot-line, telephone number 011-2888999 - on which the general public could contact CEA officials to lodge complaints.

This facility will be available throughout the 24 hours of the day. The coordinating officer will be on duty from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on weekdays to receive complaints. Arrangements have been made to record messages/complaints on off-duty hours, weekends and holidays.

Complaints regarding excess noise, release of waste water and solid waste into the environment, illegal filling of land, any illegal act against natural eco-systems, illegal destruction of sand and clay dunes, illegal mining of minerals and sand etc. and any other destruction caused to the environment could be made to the CEA on the new Hot-line.

Complaints received which does not fall within the purview of the CEA will be directed to the relevant authorities.

The CEA reiterates that the general public have a legal right to protest against any person who causes destruction to the environment they live in and advises the people to be vigilant at all times in order to protect the environment.