Negombo Magistrate Jayaki de Alwis last week ordered the closure of an aluminium and plastic products factory at Kapuwatte, Ja-Ela for polluting the environment.

Kandana police filed action against this factory on a complaint lodged by "Ekamuthu Community Development Society" comprising residents of the area where the factory is located.

In their complaint, residents alleged that there was excessive noise pollution caused during the manufacturing process and release of particles, aluminium dust and plastic to the environment, without adhering to any safety control methods. This had caused a serious health hazard to those living in the environs of this factory. On the other hand, the factory had been built on a nine-perch block of land in a highly residential area, they said.

"Repeated representations made to the owner of the factory by the residents about the health hazards had not brought the desired results," said Mrs Swarna Gunawardane, spokeswoman for the Society.

Further, the petitioners had cited that the owner of the factory had failed to obtain an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).

Attorneys at law Mahesh Wewita and Godfrey Cooray appeared for the petitioners.