Burnt clinical waste discovered in Mahaweli reserve

A team of state officials has discovered a spot at the Mahaweli reserve where clinical waste had been burnt recently.

Last week, the Hambantota Pradeshiya Sabha, Police and Mahaweli officers had launched a probe after it was reported that clinical waste had been dumped and buried at two pits in the reserve.

During today's investigations, officials had discovered a spot in the reserve – located around one kilometre from the pits, in which clinical waste had been burnt.

Accordingly, investigators believe that these waste products may have been dumped or burnt in several areas of the reserve.

Meanwhile, officials had also conducted an examination on the clinical waste material which had been buried inside both pits last week. Steps were taken to excavate the pits to carry out the probe.

Hambantota Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman G. Samara Gunarathna urged that investigations must be expedited into the matter and that those behind this incident would be brought before the law.

Gunarathna, who also accompanied the investigating team today, cited this as an issue which could cause adverse health effects for area residents.

(Reporting and pics by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi)