Residents sue factories citing health hazard

Sandasen MARASINGHE

COLOMBO: Colombo District Court Judge Aruna C. Ranasinghe on Thursday issued notice on two garment factory owners at Jasmine Park, Narahenpita Road, Nawala to appear in courts on June 19 following a case filed by resudents stating these factories pose a health hazard.

Residents in Jasmine Park cited Nimsel Garment Finishes (Pvt) Ltd, Maxglory Industrial Washing (Pvt) Ltd, The Central Environmental Authority, Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte Municipal Council, the Urban Development Authority and the Environmental Foundation Ltd. as defendants.

The plaintiffs filing the plaint through Attorney Ishara Gunawardene stated that first and second defendants were operating a heavy industry carrying out washing, dying, sand-blasting, scraping and spraying of fabrics prior to the production.

In this process they use various chemicals including chlorine, acids (HCl) and dyes hazardous to the environment and health.

The plaintiffs pleaded Court to make a declaration that the first and second defendants acted wrongfully and unlawfully in the conduct of their business.

They also pleaded to issue an enjoining order halting the first and second defendants carrying out business without approval and licence from the Central Environmental Authority and the Urban Development Authority and stop the operations of the factory from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.