Water source polluted

STANLEY SENEVIRATNE Kurunegala North group correspondent

Residents of several villages in Kurunegala are perturbed over the contamination of water in Venderuwewa Canal that flows through Gettuwana providing water and irrigation facilities to thousands of villagers in the area.

They pointed out that the canal is contaminated with waste water that flows into the canal from a motor vehicle service station and this has seriously affected the underground water resources that feed the drinking water wells in the Gettuwana and Muttetugala area.

The residents of the area also say that the layer of greasy substance is clearly visible on the surface.

They told the media that the contamination of drinking water wells has created a serious health hazard and they would be susceptible to incurable diseases.

The farmers of the area said diesel and other waste matter that flows into their paddy fields caused extensive damage to their crop. They said the farmers in several areas have abandoned paddy cultivation for want of irrigational facilities and are bound to abandon about 1,500 acres of paddy land.

Thousands of people from several areas of the district who use the canal for bathing during long droughts are the worst affected.

The residents of the area now request the Minister of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Jayaratne Herath and relevant authorities to look into the environmental damage and to take immediate action against the individuals responsible.