Kandy water not poisoned

There is no truth in the rumour that the pipe borne water supply to Kandy has been poisoned and there had been casualties, authorities said yesterday.

A rumour swept across the hill capital on Monday around midnight that the pipe borne water has been poisoned and people should refrain from using tap water. Calls to the Water Supply authorities drew a negative reply and the authorities dismissed these rumours as false. "This is the work of saboteurs and mischief makers to create panic among the people and upset normal life for certain gains,"

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake now on an official visit abroad said.

He said as soon as he heard of this incident, telephoned the authorities to ascertain the truth and found it was a rumour spread to create hardship among the people. He will instruct police to investigate and bring to book the persons responsible for this hoax.