Reckless littering places sacred city of Anuradhapura at stake

Rampant pollution of environment has not only tainted the cradle of one of the oldest civilisations in the world, but also become breeding ground for many health hazards @ Resort owners in area lament reckless behaviour and callous attitude of polluters threaten international image of World Heritage Site @ Pressing island-wide issue of reckless trash disposal calls for ‘individual system change’

- TexT AND Pix By RANDIMA ATTYGALLE

THE careless waste disposal by pilgrims and other visitors to the sacred city of Anuradhapura, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has resulted in fouling many archaeologically and historically important hot-spots including the country's first stupa (Thuparamaya) and country's first man-made tank Abhaya Wewa.

The mounting garbage strewn around these historically-significant landmarks includes an alarming quantity of plastic and polythene. Lunch sheets, plastic water bottles, yoghurt cups carelessly disposed to the environment have not only tainted the cradle of one of the oldest civilisations in the world, but also become a breeding ground for many health hazards.

A revolting sight