Welipenna recycling factory doing more bad than good
A team of officials from several government institutions carried out an inspection of the scrap iron recycling project at Welipenna in Matugama. They were responding to public complaints and a report forwarded to the Matugama Divisional Development Committee by the Welipenna Police Environmental Unit to the effect that water resources in the area were being contaminated due to the unplanned removal of iron residue and liquid waste from the factory.
OIC Police Environmental Unit SI A.p.p.vithana had made representations to the Development Committee on Public Complaints regarding the ongoing environmental pollution.
The inspection was carried out on the factory in response to public complaints and a report forwarded to the Matugama Divisional Development Committee
The investigators who pointed out the possibility of iron residue and liquid waste contaminating underground water resources in the surrounding area instructed the factory management on preventive measures. They created awareness on employees’ safety, maintaining the factory grounds to prevent environmental damage, health and sanitation issues. They decided to carry out a soil test soon.
Matugama Asst. Divisional Secretary Dinari Nivasha Ariyaratne, Asst Director of the Sri Lanka Board of Investments I.t.d.jayawardene, MOH Dr, Channa Vithana, Environmental Officer M.r.wanigasuriya, OIC Police Environmental Unit SI A.p.p.vithana, Works Superintendent, Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha U.s.w.gunatilleka, and Grama Niladhari J.k.g.eranga and PC 62917 Ajith carried out the inspection.