Non Government Organizations had funded so called environmentalists to the tune of Rs. 3.7 million to block the proposed compost plant and final disposal facility in Dompe, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said at a media conference yesterday.

"These culprits who pose as environmentalists were behind the sabotage. I request them to come for an open debate rather than block development," he said. The media conference was held at his ministry in Battaramulla in connection with the Haritha month between October 15 and November 15.

Ranawaka said he would never allow anybody to do politics with garbage. "If proper action was taken and implemented in 1994 in Meepe, Padukka there would not have been a garbage issue today," he added.

By delaying activities in Dompe, the environment, especially the water table, is polluted. "I request saboteurs rather than spending money to come here to drop a handful of soil on garbage, which is becoming haven for mosquito breeding," he added.