Lanka to face acid rain threat

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Sri Lanka is on the verge of facing ecologically harmful acid rains.

Prof. O.A. Illeperuma of the University of Peradeniya said as indicated by the recent environmental studies carried out by environmental scientists, in Anuradhapura, Mahailuppallama and Uva areas for over many years during North-Eastern rainy seasons, Sri Lanka is likely to experience acid rains in the future.

Acid rains cause acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to the damage of trees at high elevations and many sensitive forest soil and harm public health.

Prof. Illeperuma has warned that the threat of acid rains cannot be taken lightly as it poses a major threat to the country’s agriculture.

The Professor has reportedly apprised Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka about the acid rain problem at a meeting where he pointed out that Sri Lanka was the only country that does not have research projects on the subject of acid rains.

Minister Ranawaka said that it was high time that Sri Lanka should focus on acid rain.