BORELLA OIC KILLED DURING PROTEST OVER RUBBER FACTORY
Borella Police OIC Prasad Siriwardena was killed and several others injured during protests staged by residents over a rubber factory situated at Thunnana in Hanwella.
The OIC, who had gone to the area with police personnel to maintain law and order, was seriously injured when a tree that was being cut by the protestors to obstruct the Highlevel Road fell on him.
The OIC, who had gone to the area with police personnel to maintain law and order, was seriously injured when a tree fell on him
He was rushed to the Avissawella Hospital where he underwent urgent surgery but died soon after.
Vehicular traffic along the High-level Road came to a standstill for more than three hours from 6.30 a.m. yesterday with several trees placed across the road.
The fast that was launched on Saturday morning outside the Jayasumanarama Temple continued till last morning. The protestors claimed that the smoke from the factory caused air pollution resulting in a serious health hazard endangering the lives of thousands of people living in the vicinity.
A tense situation prevailed when the police ordered the protestors to call off the fast and the demonstration and to move out. But when they refused, the police baton charged them and arrested several of them. This resulted in the angry mob burning tyres on the middle of the road and cutting down trees and placing them across the road demanding
Vehicular traffic along the High-level Road came to a standstill for more than three hours from 6.30 a.m. yesterday with several trees place across the road
the immediate release of those arrested.
Protest organiser Pathmasiri Weerasinghe said repeated complaints to the relevant authorities on the danger faced by the people had been ignored and this had led them to take to the streets as a last resort. He said the residents would continue their protests until the factory was shifted.
The protest was later called off when DIG Anura Senanayake met them and assured he would consider the release of those arrested and told them the matter was before court and as such await a court order.
Meanwhile Rubber Factory Chief Executive Officer (Operations) B.K. Pathirage said they had strictly adhered to the regulations laid down by the Central Environmental Authority and the Sri Lanka Board of Investments.
“However a case filed in Avissawela Magistrate’s Court against the factory is pending. We filed answers within 14 days as ordered by the magistrate. Court has allowed the factory to function as usual and we are awaiting the Court order, which we are prepared to accept,” he said.
A police contingent from Padukka, Avissawela,and Homagama Police Stations and the STF were deployed to strengthen security in the area and prevent any incidents of violence. The road from Meepe to Pahathgama was later cleared by the police.