By Gamini Ilangathilaka   
About 25 tons of solid waste have been irresponsibly disposed of along the Sri Pada route from Nallathaniya,for the past five months during the pilgrim season, leading to significant environmental pollution. despite ongoing awareness campaigns to prevent environmental damage, an official said. 

Environment Promotion Officer of Maskeliya Pradeshiya Sabha Rasika Samaranayake said the stock of solid waste included about three tons of plastic bottles.   
She said the Environmental Unit of Maskeliya Pradeshiya Sabha would be responsible for clearing garbage disposed by the pilgrims during the six months of the Sri Pada pilgrim season   
The Environmental Officer pointed out that a heavy influx of pilgrims have been experienced on weekends, particularly long weekend holidays and that the disposal of garbage including solid waste had increased.   
She said a team of labourers of the Pradeshiya Sabha had been deployed to collect and transport garbage to the recycling centre at Rikaton in Maskeliya.