Fishy death sparks probe

12 July 2010 06:39 am

By Sajeeva Wijeweera

The Hikkaduwa National Park has launched an investigation into the sudden death of fish in the Kuda-kalapu river which is a main water source for the Madhu river, the caretaker of the Hikkaduwa National Park Asanka Gunawardene said. 

The river is located in the boundaries of Balapitiya and Ambalangoda and the livelihood of 300 families living in the area depends on the fisheries trade. The death of these fish occurred unexpectedly four days ago, Gunawardene said.

"The fish started to die unexpectedly and people who had consumed these fish also fell ill. We don’t know what is causing these deaths. The relevant authorities have launched an investigation into this as there are many who depend on the fisheries trade," a fisherman in the area said. (Daily Mirror online)