Katunayaka residents held a protest demonstration yesterday (June 29) close to the 18th Mile Put up Junction, towards a facility initially permitted as a vacationer lodge, being transformed right into a cement manufacturing and packaging plant of Melwa Cement (Pvt) Ltd.
Approvals had been initially granted by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) on Dec. 12, 2020, whereas the City Growth Authority (UDA) issued a growth allow on Dec. 25, 2025.
The unique approval was for a single-storey constructing of three,857 sq. metres on a 6-acre and 1-rood land extent.
Nonetheless, protestors allege that the undertaking has since been altered and re-approved as a five-storey cement manufacturing facility with a complete ground space of 12,925 sq. metres.
The development reportedly extends from the Colombo–Katunayake major highway as much as the Negombo lagoon.
Risk to Liyanagemulla mangroves
Protesters additional warn that the undertaking may have wide-ranging environmental and social impacts, together with to the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, Bandaranaike Worldwide Airport (BIA), close by motels, 03 worldwide faculties, and the Negombo lagoon and related fishing communities.
Additionally they highlighted potential dangers to the Liyanagemulla Conservation Forest which was declared beneath a particular gazette notification, in addition to to dormitories of feminine staff within the Katunayake Free Commerce Zone and tourism-related boat safari operations within the Muthurajawela wetland.
They level out that the undertaking would create an surroundings stuffed with cement mud on this space.
They additional alleged that development is being carried out quickly in violation of situations imposed by the UDA, and questioned why no official info board has been displayed on the web site.
The protest drew participation from Buddhist and Catholic clergy, fishermen, environmental activists, social activists, senior residents’ teams, and native tourism sector entrepreneurs.
Who owns Melwa?
The Melwa group, based in 2003, is chaired by Mr. Anandharajah Pillai.
His brothers – Mr P.P. Barathamanickam, P.P. Devaraja, Mr. Divek Barathamanickam, Mr. Shandeep Segar makes up the board of administrators of this family-owned enterprise.
Along with being essentially the most distinguished metal producer in Sri Lanka, the corporate portfolio has diversified into a number of sectors together with hospitality.
In the meantime, earlier this month, the corporate reportedly partnered with Prime Lands to launch an international-standard mixed-use undertaking within the Port Metropolis.
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