Protest over proposed tile factory using Norochcholai ash

A group of area residents held a protest in Mundalama yesterday (21) over a project to be set up near Mundalama town to produce tiles using ash discarded from the Norochcholai coal power plant. 

A group of monks and other religious leaders who met near the proposed tile factory went in a procession to Mundalama town, where they held dashed coconuts at the Aiyanayaka Devalaya in town in protest against the proposed factory. 

Religious leaders and villagers who took part in the protest claimed that the proposed factory could lead to environmental pollution in the area and disrupt public life. 

Mundalama Divisional Secretary Chanaka Prewamasuriya, who visited the location where the protest was being held, told the gathering that no permission had been obtained to establish this factory.

Anjana Sandaruwan, Chairman of the Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha, who arrived at the location after the protest had concluded, stated that for any construction work exceeding 400 square feet, approval must first be obtained from the Urban Development Authority (UDA). Since the management of the factory had not obtained such permission, he said he had taken been steps to suspend construction of the factory.  

Black flags were hoisted in Mundalama town during the course of the protest and there was a heavy police presence in the area. 

Text and Pix by Jayaratne Wickramaarachchi in Karuwalagaswewa 

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