Meepe: another Uma Oya?
August 22, 2017
Villagers of Padukka, Meepe are being subjected to much distress owing to the rock quarries that are in operation on the Kithul Kanda rock.
A representative of the Seethawaka Environment Protection Association, Indika Wickramasinghe states that an entire side of the rock has by now been either blasted off or removed.
The residents of the surroundings are now suffering from a shortage of drinking water owing to the drying up of catchment areas, changes in the pH of drinking water, increased incidence of respiratory tract diseases due to dust particles, noise pollution, cracks in houses, and landslides.
16 rock quarries are currently said to be in operation across a region of about 3.5 square kilometres.
The representative stated that no comprehensive assessment had been made prior to the issuing of permits by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.
According to the representative, the quarries primarily fuel the Port City project.
