Court steps in over fertilizer smell complaints

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, March 11 (Daily Mirror) - The Colombo Additional Magistrate H.D.D.J. Premaratne has directed the Peliyagoda Public Health Inspector to conduct a full investigation and submit a report to court regarding complaints that the use of leftover fish from the Peliyagoda Manning Market in fertilizer production by a private company has caused nuisance to local residents.

The court considered complaints from residents alleging that the fertilizer production process carried out near the market generates foul odours and causes environmental pollution. 

Investigating officers informed the court that a private company has been producing fertilizer using leftover fish from the market and the resulting foul smell has been reported as causing discomfort to nearby residents.

The company, present in court, stated that according to a report issued by the ITI Institute, the odour produced disperses within a limited radius in the environment.

After reviewing the submissions, the magistrate ordered that all reports, including the one submitted by the private company, be examined and a complete report on the incident be submitted to the court.

Investigating officers were further instructed to present their findings on this matter by June 3.