Damaged houses and sound pollution; Karabewa residents complain of metal quarry
Ancient Tampita vihara in the area also at risk
A metal quarry at Karabewa in Anamaduwa, is posing a serious hazard to residents of the area. Several of the residents complained that they are subjected to sound pollution on a daily basis and their houses are being damaged as well.
Moreover, stones thrown out by rock blasts in the quarry have also become a threat to the ancient Tampita vihara in the area, which is more than 400 years old. The walls and the tiles of the temple are constantly being damaged.
The residents of the area complained about this situation as the owners of this quarry have violated the rules and regulations stated in their licence, and the work in the quarry is conducted with no regard for the legal limits on noise and vibration produced.
The metal quarry has not provided the necessary safety measures for roughly 1500 people and 225 families, who live near this metal quarry.
“These temple buildings were famous during the 17th-19th centuries. Due to the quarry activities the paint has fallen down from the walls,” the Chief Incumbent of the Karabewa Sri Sudarshanarama Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven Galkulama Seelananda Thero, alleged.
D M Jinadasa, an area resident said the sound pollution from the quarry pose a threat to their lives. He also said the children in the area cannot study due to the loud noises.
“We spoke to the owners, but they did not pay any heed to the questions we raised. The dust as well as the noise disturbs us, and sometimes we wake up in the night because of the loud noises,” A M Kapuru Menika, another area resident, said.
“We have received several allegations related to this metal quarry. We are ready to conduct relevant inquiries regarding the complaints. After carrying out the initial investigations, we will come up with a solution,” said North Western Province Geological Survey and Mines Survey Bureau Engineer Wasantha Senaratne.