Sri Lanka: Around 1000 residents of Katunayake staged a protest on 19 July 2026 against a proposed grinding plant on the Columbo-Katunayake road near Sri Lanka’s international airport. Protesters said that the Central Environment Authority had approved a building plan for an area of 3857m2 in December 2020, but that the original approval had now been changed to build a facility occupying 12,925m2. The company is Melwa Cement, according to The Morning Telegraph newspaper.
Protesters said “This is a highly sensitive environmental zone with a dense population and a major tourism zone. Airport engineers have pointed out that the air pollution caused by cement dust from the plant in close proximity to the runway could affect aircraft engines and machinery and equipment in the airport.” They also pointed out that three schools and the Negombo lagoon, which provides livelihoods for thousands of fishermen, were in close proximity.
