Asphalt plant and crusher a threat to environment

The proposed Asphalt Plant and the crusher at Alahena Dambana will be a threat to the Malayadi tank and the environment.

A resident of Alahena said that an alternative land for the Asphalt plant and the crusher was given earlier to the Chinese company who constructed the Akkaraypattu New Kallady bridge. The land was changed due to unknown reasons, he said.

According to him the land in Alahena Dambana belonged to a resident in Higurana Paranagama.

The Government Agent (GA) Ampara, Sunil Kannangara said that a number of complaints has been received from quarry owners from Malayadi and Alahena. He said that strict disciplinary action will be taken against the officers and the quarry owners if they had committed malpractices.

He said that a decision was taken recently not to issue new quarry permits after inspecting the Malayadi area with the Geological Survey Director.

He said that the Central Environment Authority (CEA), the Geological Survey, Mines Bureau and the GAs office jointly work in the infrastructure development activities undertaken by the Chinese companies in the area as they have to work with target dates given by the government.(LSAW)