Farmers have raised serious concerns over environmental damage allegedly caused by the Sevanagala Sugar Company, which is accused of discharging hazardous Goda and Spirit waste into the Walawe River.
Representatives from local farmers’ organisations claim that this pollution has led to the death of fish in the river, threatening livelihoods and the surrounding ecosystem.
The allegations surfaced during a recent cultivation season meeting, chaired by Resident Business Manager Sujeewa Gunasekara.
He said that the day before the meeting, tanks containing Goda and Spirit waste at the Sevanagala Sugar Company overflowed, contaminating the river and impacting its lower reaches severely.
To mitigate the damage, 2,200 acre-feet of water was released from the Udawalawe Reservoir to flush the river.
Gunasekara said that further investigations are ongoing, led by the Central Environmental Authority, but was unable to provide additional details.
Farmers at the meeting expressed frustration over the early release of water from the reservoir, which was reserved for cultivation, fearing shortages in the upcoming agricultural season.
Notably, representatives from the Sevanagala Sugar Company who attended the meeting remained silent when questioned about the incident.
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