The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) is to initiate legal action against the chemical factory in the Katuwana Industrial Zone in Homagama that was destroyed in a fire on 17 August.

Following the fire being doused by 18 August, it was revealed that the relevant factory had not been in possession of an Environmental Protection Licence (EPA) issued by the CEA.

When queried by The Daily Morning regarding preparations by the CEA to initiate legal action against the said factory’s administration, CEA Media Spokesman Ajith Weerasundara said that there are legal provisions under which the CEA can initiate such. “There are provisions for us to take legal action against the factory. First, we have to get a comprehensive inspection report. Then, the CEA’s Legal Division will file a case.”

The fire brigade of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, with the assistance of police and army personnel and the Horana Fire Brigade, doused the fire by the morning of 18 August. Efforts to douse the fire were crippled due to chemical combustion that took place from time to time and a total of seven fire engines were dispatched to the site. The public was requested by the Police to refrain from travelling in and around the area due to potential exposure to harmful chemical substances.