The Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) said yesterday the tests carried out on samples of allegedly contaminated water taken from several villages near Weliweriya revealed the presence of high levels of acidity in the water.

However ITI Chairman W. Abeywickrema said it was still uncertain if the acidity was due to a natural process in the environment or caused due to an external factor in the surrounding environment.

Prof. Abeywickreme said the ITI was still carrying out an analysis on the number of harmful chemical components in the water but said that the analysis and the report would be completed before the end of the week.

“We are still studying the acidity of the water but we hope to complete our report within this week,” he said. The report once completed would be handed over to the Ministry of Technology and Research and the District Secretary who would then forward the report to other relevant authorities.

ITI had conducted a total of 41 tests on samples taken from one kilometer radius from the factory which was suspected to have contaminated the water in the area. Furthermore six tests were being carried out on specimens collected from inside the factory as well. (Olindhi Jayasundere)