Air quality plummets in Sri Lanka : NBRO

COLOMBO (News1st): Air quality levels have dropped unusually in certain parts of the country, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has found. Air pollution has increased in the Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Vavuniya, and Jaffna districts since November 27, NBRO scientist Sarath Premasiri said. He attributed this situation to the polluted air in the Indian Subcontinent that had entered Sri Lanka's atmosphere due to winds blowing in the direction of the country. According to the NBRO, this situation is unhealthy for sensitive groups that include the elderly, expectant mothers, and individuals experiencing respiratory illnesses. Amith Senanayake, the convenor of the Association to Protect the Central Region, claimed that the Central Environment Authority's air quality monitoring station in the Kandy town is inactive. "This is an automated system. However, it is sad to note that the data is not accurate," he said.