Environmentalists have expressed concern over the death of hundreds of birds and fish in the Anavilundawa Ramsa Wetland Bird Sanctuary and its waterways in the last few days.
Among the bird sanctuaries in the country, Anawilundawa Ramsa Bird Sanctuary takes the first place and migratory birds can be seen there. They say that migratory birds build nests and breed their young.
They were of the opinion that the birds and fish died due to the chemical waste dumped illegally from a factory in that area.
Meanwhile, Forest Conservator W.L. Upananda said the specimens of the dead fish and birds were sent to the Peradeniya Special Veterinary Unit for laboratory tests to ascertain the cause of death. He said the results of the laboratory tests were not yet available.