Srilanka, Feb. 13 -- Despite repeated complaints by local state authorities and residents at Mirihana in Kotte, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and its officials are turning a blind eye to the severe environmental devastation of UDA land due to the dumping of garbage and house waste.

Until recent times, the land belonging to UDA had been a lush green paddy field with varieties of birds and other animals frequenting the place, but not anymore due to the allowing of human encroachment and dumping of garbage. Sometimes the culprits are outsiders.

This areas is located between Muruththetuwa Road and the Buwanekaba Mawatha in Mirihana. A few years ago, the marshland was to be converted into an environmental friendly site with walkin...