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Dipped dismisses allegations
View(s):Dipped Products Limited which is in the centre of a controversy that led to the bloody mayhem on Thursday, yesterday denied accusations that it was responsible for the contamination of the water sources of the villages surrounding its factory at Nedungamuwa, Weliweriya. Here are excerpts from a statement issued by the company’s Managing Director Mahesha Ranasoma:
“The section of the public in the area are acting under the impression that the effluents released by the factory is lowering the well water quality (pH). We as a conglomerate that follows ethical procedures to deliver quality products as well as service with utmost care condemn the accusations made by such people and take this opportunity to affirm our Quality Control Procedures.
“Another key factor to consider is that our factory is located at Nedungamuwa, Weliweriya an area in which there can be natural occurrences of low levels of pH in shallow water that could be less than 6.5. Therefore accusing us of being responsible for creating this situation is false and invalid when it is known that a river basin therein has naturally occurring low pH shallow water areas.
“Before this incident took place, we have had many discussions with the residents, officials from the health department, and political leaders of the area as well as heads of civil organisations all of which were conducted in a friendly and hospitable manner and never once amounted to anything resembling the violence and unrest we are experiencing today.
“We have reasonable suspicions that this incident is being aggravated by certain parties with hidden political agendas who are seeking to bring our company to disrepute and tarnish the good image that Dipped Products PLC as a part of the Hayleys Group has so successfully built up over the years.
“… we held discussions with several government officials of this country including the Honourable Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. During this meeting we agreed to cease manufacturing operations while an investigation into finding the reasons for low pH water in the wells is conducted by the Industrial Technology Institute, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, University of Moratuwa and the University of Kelaniya.
Company dodges the ST query
Consequent to the statement, the Sunday Times asked Dipped Products Ltd to name those the company accuses of aggravating the incident. It sent us a reply but did not name the people. Here is the company’s response:
“Hon. Gotabaya Rajapakse was kind enough to bring the heads of all the clergy representing all the religions in the area, neighbours, doctors and the lawyers in buses to the Defence Ministry to discuss and resolve this problem. Whilst these discussions were ongoing the protest march and attacks took place. That is why we believe there is a hidden agenda in this and is politically motivated to create problems. We have no involvement and did not influence the police or forces as we are a socially responsible company.
We deny having requested the army to come to clear our containers and the containers are still lying in our premises. It is the Defence authorities responsibility to maintain law and order and this is not within our control. “
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