Traffic blocks as Anamaduwa villagers protest over quarries
Chief priest at Rambawewa Sandanan Pokuna Viharaya says temple buildings also affected
Residents of several villages in Anamaduwa on Thursday carried out protests against five stone quarries near their villages.
More than 200 residents of Rambawewa, Siyambalawewa, Ampitigama, Nambawewa and Koralayagama participated.
They had gone to the five quarries, carrying placards and banners, and had protested for more than three hours.
At first the protestors blocked the Anamaduwa-Chilaw Road and then moved towards Rambawewa junction and continued their protest, causing a traffic block.
Meanwhile the workers of the quarries retaliated with their own protest on the opposite side of the road.
The villagers and quarry workers exchanged heated words and were close to blows when Anamaduwa Po l i c e intervened. They also took steps to resume vehicle movement.
Rambawewa Sandanan Pokuna Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven Rambaawa Sumanaratne Thera said the heavy vehicles travelling to and from the quarries had damaged the roads leading to the villages.
The Thera said the temple buildings were also getting damaged, and called on the relevant authorities to take action.
Aafter nearly three to four hours of protests, Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat administrative officer K. M Jayathilake had visited the area and spoken to the protesting villagers.
More than 20 Police of f i c e r s were involved in crowd control during the protests.