Court issues notice on Venigros, BOI, CEA over water pollution charges

Friday, 29 November 2013 06:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A Court this week issued notice on the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Board of Investment (BOI) and the controversial glove maker Venigros Ltd., over allegations of water pollution by the company in the Rathupaswala area of Gampaha District. The Appellate Court issued the notice when it took up a writ application filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and a representative of a movement called Siyane Jalaya Surakeeme Jana Neguma (SJSJN) alleging the company of polluting the ground water in the area. The CEJ and SJSJN are seeking a writ of mandamus compelling the CEA and the BOI to bring justice to the residents of Rathupaswala. The petitioners have said that they want to take legal action against the company that has allegedly polluted the water and land in Rathupaswala in violation of the terms and conditions of the Environment Protection License (EPL) in the performance of the statutory duty in compliance with the provisions of the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, as amended. The petitioners have stated that the CEA and the BOI had failed to undertake investigations to ensure compliance with this Act and to investigate complaints relating to non-compliance for the conditions of the EPL. It has also been stated that Venigros Ltd. had sent industrial effluents out of the factory which, if not properly treated, are harmful to the environment. The petitioners seek the court to issue an order to relocate the Hayleys Group owned glove making factory. The company has asserted that its waste is discharged according to the guidelines and the effluents are not the cause for unsuitable water quality. The protests demanding clean drinking water by the villagers in August this year turned deadly when they clashed with Police and military personnel, resulting in the deaths of three youths and injuries to many others. The Court of Appeal has issued the return notice on 27 January 2014.

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