RELEASE OF EFFLUENTS POLLUTES DRINKING WATER IN PILIYANDALA

Nearly forty wells in Kahapola at Piliyandala have been contaminated with fuel released from a factory in the area, residents said. They stated that the factory which stored, repaired and refuelled electrical transformers had discharged burnt oil, contaminating the wells in the neighbourhood.

While pointing out that the factory established five years ago had not displayed its name, they said the activities taking place within the fouracre premises, masked with iron sheets, were not known to anyone. However, it seemed that the industry dealt with repairing and refuelling electrical transformers brought from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), they added.

The factory is situated in close proximity to the 84-acre land where the proposed Kahapola zoological garden was to be established.

The burnt oil, dumped in a huge pit inside the compound, had gradually seeped into the wells in the region.

The Chief Incumbent of the Samadhi Nikethanaya Temple Ven. Kahapola Nandarathana Thera and Polhena Grama Seva Division Grama Niladhari Chaminda Priya Thushara were also with the residents when they raised these concerns.

However, an engineer of the workshop had pledged to pay each family Rs. 25,000 so that they could request for water connection from relevant authorities.

While addressing the drinking water issue, Ven. Kahapola Nandarathana Thera said the residents needed an immediate solution as it was causing much inconvenience.

Kelum Indrajith, a resident, said “We observed a layer of oil in our wells about five months ago. Even after emptying it several times, the water was found contaminated with oily substances. We took a sample of it and showed it to the Government Analyst who then observed the contaminated water and said it was unfit for consumption.”

He said he complained about this matter to the police, and also filed a case in the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court which was due to be taken up for hearing on May 11. Even though tanks have been constructed to store oil inside the premises, this was not being used by the workers, he added.

The engineer of the workshop, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was unable to divulge the activities inside the workshop, but spelled out that the establishment was a private enterprise affiliated with the government.

“Apart from the Rs. 25,000 promised to each family, the company would also reimburse the water bills of each family,” he said.

The Grama Niladhari stated that he was aware of the presence of the workshop as well as the concern of drinking water, and added that the officers of the Piliyandala Police Station and Public Health Inspectors of the Kesbewa Urban Council inspected the premises.

However, when contacted Kesbewa Divisional Secretary L.A. Kalukapuarachchi, he said he was not informed of these concerns as yet, but would deploy the necessary officers to look into the matter.

The engineer of the workshop, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was unable to divulge the activities inside the workshop, but spelled out that the establishment was a private enterprise affiliated with the government