Environment authorities to raid 7,000 factories in Sri Lanka

Over 7,000 factories that are operating countrywide without legal environmental approval will be raided by the Sri Lankan Central Environmental Authority, officials said here on Wednesday. Central Environment Authority Chairman C. Herath told media that they estimate over 7,000 factories are operating without obtaining the relevant approval from environmental authorities. "A large amount of environmental damage is caused by these factories countrywide. We are planning to launch a widespread programme to take legal action against these offenders," he said. Over 400 officials belonging to the provincial offices of the Central Environment Authority will raid these factories over the next few weeks, he added. The Central Environment Authority has already taken action against 200 illegally operating factories.