Protect environment, Sri Pada pilgrims told

The Environment Ministry has called upon pilgrims who visit Sri Pada during the current season to refrain from dumping polythene, plastic cans and non-biodegradable items as it would damage the environment in the vicinity.

Over 75,000 pilgrims belonging to all faiths visited Sri Pada from the commencement of the season on December 27 (Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day). The season ends on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

A spokesman for the Environment Ministry also called upon environmentalists and officials of local bodies in the Sabaragamuwa Province to take steps to keep the holy mountain vicinity clean and tidy for the benefit of pilgrims.

According to environmentalists polythene and plastic cans could block the regular flow of water, helps breed mosquitoes and spreads water-borne diseases. Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told the Sunday Observer that his Ministry in collaboration with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has deployed officials to check environmental damage caused by pilgrims.

The Minister has called upon pilgrims to refrain from throwing all kinds of waste into streams and waterways that are in close proximity to the sacred mountain. A senior CEA official said although similar warnings had been repeatedly made in the past, some pilgrims had ignored such warnings.

He said even during the last season, a large sum of money had been spent by the local authorities in the Sabaragamuwa Province to clear heaps of garbage in Sri Pada.

A senior police official said security will be provided to pilgrims during this period.