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Alarm bells over SL covering smog

8 December 2022 07:33 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sensitive people have been urged to remain indoors following the air pollution caused by the northeast Monsoon winds blowing from the Indian sub continent.

Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that such people should wear masks when they venture out.

He told the Daily Mirror that the current air pollution in the country was not an indigenous issue and it was not a problem that Sri Lanka could address.

“The air pollutants generated in India and other neighbouring countries have affected our environment. This situation usually takes place with the onset of the Northeast Monsoon and the Monsoon winds carry air pollutants from India and other countries. This situation caused the increase in dust particles in certain areas of the country.

“Therefore, sensitive groups such as pregnant women, elderly people, people with respiratory illnesses, and people with heart or lung diseases, patients with allergic conditions should take extra precautions to avoid any adverse effects,” he said.

Dr Jasinghe requested the people to wear masks and to restrict their movements to avoid exposure to the polluted air particles.

Describing the situation Dr Jasinghe said the quality of the air was measured by the Particulate matter (PM) which measures the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, of which consisting of a variety of components such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, organic compounds, metals, acids, soil, and dust.

According to the WHO recommended global air quality guidelines the density of particles in the air is measured by Particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10. PM10 includes particles 10 micrometers in diameter and smaller. PM 2.5 includes particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller.

Dr Jasinghe said that PM2.5 is more harmful than PM10.

“When we breath air with PM2.5 level, the particles can permeate through lungs to the vascular system or the blood stream. That can create negative effects on heart and blood.

“This kind of pollution is called as trans-boundary air pollution which means that the pollution generated in one country but is able to cause damage to another country's environment,” he said.

He said that the Environment Ministry was in the process of establishing air quality monitoring system around the country to track the quality of the air.

Accordingly, the highest impact was measured in Districts of Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy, Vavuniya and Puttalam.

“The Malé Declaration is the first regional environmental agreement in South Asia to tackle trans-boundary air pollution. Unfortunately it is slow in implementation. We need to take this in to the centre stage,” he said.

“Globally air pollution is caused mainly via vehicle emissions and from industrial sector using fossil fuels,” he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Pix by Samantha Perera


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  • Kumar Thursday, 08 December 2022 09:47 PM

    How about encouraging the population to wear masks. As long as cars exists PM2.5 will exist. I have seen smog tests in Sri Lanka nothing compared the tests in California. Any vehicle can pass the smog test in Sri Lanka with a small bribe.

    Fahim Hameed Friday, 09 December 2022 09:45 AM

    That is the biggest lie I ever heard .

    TJ Friday, 09 December 2022 07:01 AM

    India is ok but what are the other countries causing smog in Srilanka? My be China too but our guys are scared to name them.

    Sam Friday, 09 December 2022 10:54 AM

    Anything Jasinghe says should be verified from other sources. All his advices

    Sam Friday, 09 December 2022 11:00 AM

    Besides the prevailing cyclonic conditions moving west-northward should move the particles in air towards India not vise versa. How is this possible with the current wet and windy condition? Is this declaration is with some ulterior motives.

    Sam Friday, 09 December 2022 11:02 AM

    Is it possible these guys to divert the cause to Norachcholai power plant's fly ash and shut down the plant and to continue with their selling spree.

    Fathima Lai Friday, 09 December 2022 12:33 PM

    Important thing he didn't say is, how long this could be expected...

    GHT Friday, 09 December 2022 12:35 PM

    The cause of action by India is unacceptable, cut ties with India immediately and take them to International Courts for action to safeguard the neighboring country. Seeking assistance from China is vital for Sri Lanka.

    Geetanjali Friday, 09 December 2022 05:56 PM

    You guys blame India for evrything but when in trouble it is only India which helped u.

    Sri Friday, 09 December 2022 02:07 PM

    It looks that we have already sold our sky to India and they have already started storing their dust and dirty air in our sky ..what a good neighbors are they ? We should tell them about the danger of fireworks and smoke in India

    Tissa Fernando Friday, 09 December 2022 04:55 PM

    There is no proper climate control rules or standards in India. They use cheap manufacturing mechanisms to produce cheap products. The industrialists exploit tge loopholes and the politicians are not doing anything. Unfortunately their bad practices affect the neighbours very negatively. India even does not abide by international standards when it comes to these areas.

    Tony Friday, 09 December 2022 07:16 PM

    Looks like IMF restructuring Sri Lanka economy.

    Karunawathie Palangedara Saturday, 10 December 2022 01:41 AM

    Same as the current political change in SL! Everything will go smog!!

    Adwani Saturday, 10 December 2022 07:53 AM

    This is another old, Grand Golaya of Gota with poor knowledge in science, since he is stealing information from other international media to fool the nation.

    Disgusted Saturday, 10 December 2022 10:42 AM

    GHT and SRI your comments hold no water, India has no control over the weather and its effects, you both seem to forget that India has always been there for Sri Lanka and it's people during trying times. As for China they arrived with the last shower of rain with one ulterior motive, the port and strategic areas that would give them operational possibilities in the future. Do not for a moment think China has come in for the love of Sri Lanka and the people, they are in to feather their own nest. Wake up, read what's happening around the world to get a better opinion of China.

    ANNECUNT Saturday, 10 December 2022 02:47 PM

    IT the Rajapaksa family farting . The family eat all our food ( 22 million starving) Look at the size of Mahinda and his wife

    Kumarajey Sunday, 11 December 2022 03:20 PM

    Strange but as per AQI maps, coastal regions of India are all reporting healthy AQI ranging from 35 to 65 whilst SL has AQI from 120 onwards and getting worse in southern region. Is India pumping in dusty air via ducts that doesn't effects its coastal region across the strait with SL? People need to stop blaming everything on others.

    Traitor has to go Sunday, 11 December 2022 05:35 PM

    The Indian supporting agent should be caught and hanged at any cost. I am prepare pay £10,000 for any Sri Lankan who can identify this traitor.

    We will catch you Sunday, 11 December 2022 06:06 PM

    @Geetanjali, Is there any logic in your statement. What is happening to our country is a direct result of India but you don’t want us to blame India . You are either an Indian Prostitute working in Colombo or most probably a Sri Lankan working for the Indian gangs involved in trafficking human organs of children murdered in thousands in India.

    We will catch you Sunday, 11 December 2022 06:06 PM

    @Geetanjali, Is there any logic in your statement. What is happening to our country is a direct result of India but you don’t want us to blame India . You are either an Indian Prostitute working in Colombo or most probably a Sri Lankan working for the Indian gangs involved in trafficking human organs of children murdered in thousands in India.


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