Diyawanna pollution a growing problem

by Ifham Nizam

The pollution of the Diyawanna Oya was a serious envisionmental issue, a senior scientist said yesterday, adding that the matter had already been taken up with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Saturday requested the CEA to submit an environmental report on the pollution of Diyawanna Oya.

Director General of the Central Environmental Authority, Hemantha Jayasinghe was instructed by Minister Amaraweera to submit an immediate environmental report on the Diyawanna Oya.

The Minister said that the water discolouration in the area had been increasing for the past few days and investigations were being conducted to find out whether the water was polluted. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa recently asked in Parliament why a part of Diyawanna Lake had turned yellow.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena assured that steps would be taken to clean the affected area with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation.

The Opposition Leader said waste was released into the Diyawanna Oya.