Proposed cable recycle factory triggers protests by villagers

A proposed cable recycle factory in Nallachchiya, Galgamuwa has triggered protests by residents who express concerns over potential environmental and health hazards if the facility is allowed to commence operations 

A proposed factory in Nallachchiya, Galgamuwa has ignited local protest, with residents expressing concern over potential environmental and health hazards. 

The factory, intended to recycle overhead power cables, is alleged to emit harmful levels of lead into the air. This alarming claim has been brought to light by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), which, along with a media team, has launched an investigation into the matter.

Local residents have voiced serious concerns about the potential impact of lead pollution on their health and the environment. They fear that the operations of the factory could lead to severe health problems, particularly among children.

The controversy has sparked heated debates within the community and has raised broader questions about striking a balance between industrial development and environmental protection. As the investigation unfolds, the fate of this project and the well-being of the local population hang in the balance.

The factory in question is part of a project initiated by the previous government and run by Sri Lanka Energies (Pvt) Ltd, a company affiliated with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). 

Located in Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla, the facility is intended to recycle overhead power cables primarily made of aluminum. 

While aluminum is valued for its lightweight and conductive properties, the factory reportedly plans to extract lead during the process, raising significant environmental concerns.  

Residents claim that the factory’s operations involve melting cables at extremely high temperatures, releasing toxic gases and depositing hazardous waste on the surrounding land.  

Allegations of illegal land acquisition 

The Provincial People’s Planning Forum (PPPF) has also raised concerns and alleged that the company acquired local cultivation lands without the knowledge or consent of their rightful owners.

Residents reported that used electric cables and scrap metal are delivered to the factory at night; this suggests there are attempts to conceal potentially harmful activities that are taking place.  

PPPF Secretary Ms Sujeewa Priyadarshini charged the local authorities for lacking transparency and stated that repeated inquiries made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act were ignored. Complaints filed with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) are yet to trigger action.  

Environmental and social impact 

Concerns over the factory extend beyond air pollution. 

R.M. Dingiribanda, a villager, claimed that the two-and-a-half-acre land his family had cultivated since 1969 was taken over for the factory’s construction without proper documentation. 

Furthermore, approximately 100 acres of forestland in the buffer zone of Kahalle National Park was reportedly deforested for the project, exacerbating human-elephant conflicts in the region.  “Wild elephants have lost their habitat and are now roaming the villages, endangering lives and property,” Dingiribanda said. 

“It’s unsafe to walk on the roads after 6 p.m. due to frequent elephant attacks,” added Dingiribanda. 

Factory operations and official assurances 

In response to the allegations being made, the project manager of the factory explained that the facility would replace traditional overhead power cables with Aerial Bundled Conductors (ABC) — insulated aluminum alloy cables designed for greater safety and efficiency. 

The process involves heating the cables at 700°C in an induction furnace. Byproducts include aluminum ash and metal waste, which the manager claims can be repurposed sustainably.  

The project manager also said that all activities are carried out adhering to CEA recommendations. The manager said that the factory is yet to receive its Environmental Protection License (EPL) required for commissioning. “If EPL conditions aren’t met, operations will not commence,” he stated.  

Residents however remain unconvinced, accusing the factory of lead emissions and other environmental violations. 

Tensions escalated during a recent protest, prompting the Galgamuwa police to intervene and promise a meeting involving stakeholders, factory officials, and local authorities.  

Legal aspects to be considers 

Samadhi Hansani Premasiri, Chief Legal Officer of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), has expressed the organization’s commitment to address public concerns regarding the construction of a controversial factory in Nallachchiya, Galgamuwa. Speaking about the issue, Premasiri told the media that the CEJ had visited the site to assess potential environmental damage, investigate health concerns and determine whether the factory’s operations were causing public suffering.

“Sufficient information was collected during the visit, and the CEJ is determined to monitor the project closely,” Premasiri said. “We respect the concerns raised by the people in the Nallachchiya area and ensure that their voices are considered in all decisions regarding the factory.”

The premises of the proposed cable recycle factory 

The CEJ’s investigation follows numerous complaints from residents and local organizations, who allege that the factory is causing environmental and social harm. Premasiri emphasised that the CEJ’s probe will be guided by findings from the site visit and community input, ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing the issue.

While the factory aims to boost local industry and reduce reliance on imports, its operations have underscored the significant gaps in environmental oversight and community engagement. 

Whether the authorities and stakeholders can strike a balance between industrial progress and environmental preservation remains to be seen.  

For the people of Nallachchiya, however, the immediate concerns are associated with their health, land and future, as looming potential harms to the environment remain in the horizon.

Police arrive at the scene where the proposed cable recycle factory is to commence operations