Residents stage protest against quarrying

By Jayaratne Wickremarachchi

Protesting against environmental dangers

A demonstration was staged by residents of the Karuwalagaswewa area against mining going on unabated in four quarries in Alutgama despite much harm being caused to the environment. The protestors numbering over twenty are those living in the vicinity of the quarries. They demonstrated against the environmental dangers caused by this mining, which was a threat to their health.

They said they had brought this matter to the notice of the authorities concerned as well as the owners of the quarries on many occasions but without result and hence the demonstration.

On hearing about the protest Saliyawewa HQI Inspector L.B.Abeyratne had arrived at the scene of the protest and tried to pacify the affected parties and the owners of the quarries.

It was revealed that the owners had obtained the necessary permits to carry out the mining but the Inspector had requested the owners to suspend their work till the matter was referred to the Central Environmental Authority for a ruling. The protestors had then stopped their agitation and dispersed peacefully.