News

Coal ash surge at N’cholai power plant raises fresh environmental concerns

Published

3 months ago

2026/02/23

Norochcholai Coal Power Plant

Environmental groups have raised fresh concerns over increasing levels of coal ash generated at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, warning of serious environmental and public health risks if proper disposal mechanisms are not urgently implemented.

Environmental scientist and Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Chairman Hemantha Withanage, in a strongly-worded comment yesterday, said the growing volume of ash was being treated as a “blessing” by authorities, while, in reality, it posed a major ecological threat.

He told The Island: “More coal and more ash are being celebrated as a blessing. People around Norochcholai should get ready to apply it on their foreheads — and this will affect everyone, regardless of political affiliation.”

Norochcholai, Sri Lanka’s largest coal-fired power station, produces thousands of tonnes of fly ash and bottom ash annually. Environmentalists say a significant portion of this waste is either inadequately stored or disposed of without proper environmental safeguards.

Withanage said coal ash contains toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead, which can contaminate soil, groundwater and nearby marine ecosystems.

“Coal ash is not ordinary waste. It is a hazardous industrial material. If it leaks into the environment, it can enter food chains and drinking water sources,” he said.

He warned that communities living around Norochcholai were already exposed to air pollution from ash particles, especially during windy conditions, leading to respiratory problems and long-term health risks.

CEJ has repeatedly called for a transparent national policy on coal ash management, including safe storage facilities, independent monitoring, and exploring environmentally responsible reuse options under strict regulation.

Withanage stressed that while some countries recycle coal ash in construction materials, Sri Lanka lacks the regulatory framework and technical safeguards to do so safely.

“Without proper standards, recycling can become another pathway for toxic exposure,” he cautioned.

Environmentalists are also urging the government to accelerate the transition away from coal towards renewable energy, arguing that continued dependence on coal will only multiply waste and health burdens in the coming years.

Norochcholai supplies nearly one-third of the country’s base-load electricity, but has remained controversial, since its commissioning, due to repeated technical failures, marine pollution concerns and its long-term environmental footprint.

“With climate change and public health risks, coal is a problem we should be reducing, not normalising,” Withanage said. “Otherwise, the ash will eventually come back to all of us.”

by Ifham Nizam

All News Advertisement

Latest News

President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

51 mins ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

55 mins ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

Latest News

Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]