Ratmalana canal turns red – CEA says not to panic

Colombo, November 06 (Daily Mirror)- The Central Environment Authority (CEA) requested the public not to panic over a canal in Badowita area in Ratmalana suddenly turning into blood red last morning.
 
Following a tip-off, the CEA Western Province Office representatives made a field visit and carried out a test to determine the cause of the water turning red and learnt that a water-soluble dye has been released into the water.
 
However, the preliminary testing had proved that the chemical released into the water was not hazardous according to its PH test. The officials had taken samples for further laboratory tests.
 
Further inquiries revealed that a dye stored by a resident of the area in his domestic compound had washed into the canal during the heavy rains yesterday.
 
The CEA requested the residents in Ratmalana not to panic as more connecting canals in the surrounding areas could turn red with the spreading dye.