TRUCKS FACTORY OF WASTE DUMPED ON THE SHORES OF NEGOMBO LAGOON

RESIDENTS PREDICT SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS IN THE FUTURE IF THE PREVAILING DISASTER CONTINUES UNCHECKED

The dumping of chemical and electronic waste in water ways in the Gampaha District has increased drastically in recent years, affecting the eco system of the Negombo Lagoon, the final destination of natural water sources in the district, residents and environmentalists stated.

Many complained that the menace spreading across the district with the number of waterways polluted by the waste, was increasing over the years.

The 35 square kilometre lagoon which can be considered the largest along the Western Coast, is polluted by chemical and electronic waste that cannot be seen as it often settles on the floor of the lagoon and flows with the undercurrent.

Fishermen in the area say the pollution has affected the eco system of the lagoon and that they often net a considerable amount of electronic waste during their expeditions.

Director of the Muthurajawela Environmental Centre Aruna Weerasinghe speaking of the pollution said that chemical and electronic waste dumped by factories caused more havoc than waste dumped from households and markets.

“It is clear that there is a lot of chemical and e-waste near the Negombo lagoon and the swamp land near Muthurajawela. We believe that the fish and other animals in the area are affected by this change leading to a drastic decrease in the number of fish in the area,” he said.

Trucks of waste from factories in Ekala, Katunayake, and areas like Ja-ela, Kotugoda, Seeduwa were dumped on the shores of the lagoon or the canals that fall to the lagoon, Weerasinghe explained.

“This ensures that the waste mixes in with the water and then sinks to the bottom. The fish

that consume this die, and to make matters worse these chemicals destroy fish breeding areas. This is the reason large schools of fish have died in the Dadugama Oya or other water sources in Ja-ela.

Officials take such issues lightly but if this is to continue we will not be able to recover from the damage that it has caused,” he said.

A long time resident Dr. Nalin Lasantha remembers playing in the canals leading to the lagoon as a child.“dadugama Oya, the Ja-ela canal, Urval Oya and the Attangama Oya are places that we played as children. We didn’t have the fear of getting sick if we were to bathe in these canals at the time.

The situation has completely reversed now, parents are afraid to let their children play in these water ways as they are afraid they would fall ill.”

Dr. Lasantha explained the pollution would lead to an increase in non-communicable diseases among the population in the area.

“The chemicals will be in the fish and fauna in the lagoon and people who consume these would be affected by the chemicals as well, leading to numerous health issues in the years to come.”

Dr. Lasantha concluded that the government would have to shell out millions of rupees in healthcare and relevant infrastructure facilities to combat these diseases.

“If measures aren’t taken to halt the pollution of the waterways and clear them out the disaster that is to come will be unstoppable and irreversible. Officials who allowed the situation to get out of hand will be held responsible for the disaster to come.”

The chemicals will be in the fish and fauna in the lagoon and people who consume these would be affected by the chemicals as well, leading to numerous health issues in the years to come.”

-DR. NALIN LASANTHA It is clear that there is a lot of chemical and e-waste near the Negombo lagoon and the swamp land near Muthurajawela. We believe that the fish and other animals in the area are affected by this change leading to a drastic decrease in the number of fish in the area,”

-ARUNA WEERASINGHE