Activist and Lawyer Arrested Over Garbage Dumb Protest

11/01/2016

Convener of the movement against Meethotamulla garbage dump Keerthiratne Perera and its organizer Attorney at law Nuwan Bopage have been arrested last night (10) .

They have been arrested for violating court orders issued against the protest, and over an assaulting incident.

The suspects will be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (11)

Earlier, a court order was issued which prevented the holding of protests against Meethotamulla garbage dump.

An abrogation was organized by the movement against the Meethotamulla garbage dump on December 27.However it was attacked by a group led by the Mayor of Kolonnawa which injured several protesters including Keerthiratne Perera and Attorney at law Nuwan Bopage.

Around 700 metric tons of waste is disposed daily at the 16-acre garbage dump site in Meethotamulla threatening the homes and lives of the people living in the area.

The mountainous garbage dumps have slipped causing damages to a large number of houses while villagers also complain of health risks.

Villagers have continuously protested calling for the removal of the site, however, claim their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

( Original caption : Nuwan Bopage and Keerthiratne Perera arrested over Kolonnawa protest )
Daily News