Grave reduction in Oxygen in Colombo a canard

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, handing over the project report prepared by CMC “Save a Plant for Colombo” “Project to Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

by Ifham Nizam

Scientific surveys yesterday confirmed that there was no shortage of oxygen in the air in the Colombo region, contrary to claims being made in some quarters.

The report was handed over to the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe yesterday.

Last Thursday, in the presence of Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera  a group of officials of the Colombo Municipal Council claimed, at a discussion held at the Ministry of Environment, that the percentage of oxygen in the Colombo Air was gradually decreasing. The claim was given much media coverage.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, instructed the Central Environmental Authority and the Ministry of Environment to submit an immediate report from the Air Resources Management and National Ozone Unit as such a situation affected the survival of the flora and fauna.

The report has said there is no reduction in oxygen levels in the Colombo region at present.