By Lalith Navaratne   

Hundreds of birds and fish in the bird sanctuary in Anawilundawa  Ramsar wetland and its watercourses have been dying for the last several  days, much to the anxiety of the residents of the area and the  environmentalists.

Residents of the area said flocks of migratory  birds live and breed freely during this season in Anawilundawa Ramsar  bird sanctuary, which is a tourist attraction. They were of the  opinion that chemical waste dumped haphazardly from a factory in the  area resulted in the death of birds and fish in this manner.

Meanwhile,  Range Forest Conservator W.L. Upananda said he referred specimens of  the dead fish and birds to the Peradeniya Special Veterinary Unit for  laboratory tests to determine the cause of death. He said the results of  the laboratory tests were yet to be received.

However, officials  of the Aqua Culture Development Authority said watercourses had been  contaminated due to neglect of clearing algae, resulting in the death of  fish and birds.