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Diyawanna ‘oil spill’ due to pollution

27 Sep 2021

  • CEA finds appearance of oil due to contaminants and stagnation
By Pamodi Waravita The Central Environmental Authority (CEA), in a press release, has stated that initial inquiries into the appearance of an oil slick in the Diyawanna Oya has revealed that it is due to contamination from nitrogen and phosphorus in waste materials being dumped into the water. This oil slick was first visible near the Buthgamuwa area earlier this month, which prompted Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to instruct the CEA to investigate it. In a press release on Friday (24), the CEA said that waste materials being dumped into the Diyawanna Oya from the Buthgamuwa area and a restriction of water movement has led to this incident. The CEA has taken steps to inform the relevant local government bodies and the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) regarding the matter. “The CEA is conducting further investigations,” the press release added. In April of this year, the Diyawanna Oya experienced an unusual algal bloom that caused alarm among many environmentalists, as the Oya is considered environmentally important for both its flood retention capabilities, as well as providing a home to many indigenous wetland flora and fauna. A task force was appointed at the time to combat the unusual algae bloom in the Diyawanna Oya, following rising concerns over increased air pollution and an odour in surrounding areas.


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