The statistics were revealed in studies conducted by several institutions including the Central Environmental Authority.

Speaking to media, Ranjith Perera, Deputy General Manager at National Water Supply & Drainage Board had said that a comprehensive investigation on such companies will be conducted in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, Prof. Lal Dharmasiri, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority has said that if the Kelani River is polluted in the future, wrongdoers will receive strict punishment.

Studies have further revealed that the river is being polluted by factories, timber mills and homes alongside the river, Prof. Dharmasiri says.

Speaking on this regard, Sajeewa Chamikara of the Environmental Conservation Trust (ECT) said that that the rubbish collected by the above mentioned factories during the day are dumped to the river during night time or when the waters have turned murky.

Recently, the environmental protection license of Coca Cola’s Sri Lanka unit was cancelled after a leakage from an underground fuel pipeline led to an oil seepage into the Kelani river.

However, the license was renewed on August 31 over strict conditions.

Earlier, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' reported that the Multinational company Coca-Cola is pressurizing the government after the Central Environmental Authority cancelled the environment protection licence of its Kaduwela factory.