Tough action needed against fraudulent businessmen

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to take tough action against fraudulent businessmen who have attempted to destroy the "Athamala Ella" waterfall.

It is said this is the only waterfall attached to the Nilwala river.

This environmental damage had been done by building a power plant.

About 250 coconut trees, five acres of a forest and the entire waterfall had been destroyed.

It is alleged that these businessmen had bribed Government officials to obtain permission to construct the power plant. However, this construction has caused an adverse impact on the environment.

It is revealed that they have used the names of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Minister Basil Rajapaksa to obtain certain benefits.