Nuwara Eliya follows Kandy: Extensive environmental damage caused by devotees in N’ Eliya

By Ranjith Rajapakse

Barely a month after the exposition of the sacred relics of The Buddha in Kandy where huge mountains of garbage were left over by the devotees of the event, Nuwara Eliya where the National Vesak festival was held saw a similar situation but not in the same magnitude.  

 The large crowds that visited Nuwara Eliya from far and wide to watch the state Vesak festival has caused extensive environmental damage by haphazard disposal of garbage, according to residents.   

Several Dansalas to offer free meals and refreshments to the heavy influx of crowds had been held by the residents of the area and the civil society organizations during the Vesak festival from May 10 to 16.   

 The Municipal Council and the organizers of the festival had provided garbage bins for the safe disposal of garbage but the visitors had disposed garbage haphazardly.   
Residents of the area pointed out that the prevailing heavy rain experienced in the area has worsened the situation.