Delay in coal environmental report “suspicious” – Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa

Colombo, April 20 (Daily Mirror) - The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights has raised concerns over the delayed publication of an environmental impact assessment related to recently imported substandard coal shipments to Sri Lanka.

Trade Union Chairman, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, said that despite repeated government requests to release the environmental study on the imported coal linked to a questionable tender, the relevant authorities have not yet made the findings public.

He claimed that the delay by government ecologists and the Central Environmental Authority is “suspicious” and called for the urgent disclosure of the report.

He said the environmental sector must immediately release findings on hazardous substances present in the coal, warning that mercury, sulphur, nitrogen oxides, phosphorus, carbon compounds and other heavy metals could cause serious harm to both the environment and human health.

He further alleged that the delay appears to be deliberate and urged the government to give immediate attention to the matter, warning that prolonged exposure to such pollutants could pose long-term health risks to the public.