Residents protest against the proposed cement factory in Katunayake

Residents of the area held a protest yesterday morning, opposing a proposed cement factory to be built near the 18th-kilometer post on the Colombo - Katunayake main road, close to the international airport.

The building plan for the construction of a tourist hotel was approved by the Central Environmental Authority on December 12, 2020, and by the Urban Development Authority on December 25, 2025. Protesters pointed out that the initial approval for this project, which was originally intended to be a single-story building on a land area of 3,857 square meters, has been changed, and arrangements are now being made to construct a cement factory spread over a large area of 12,925 square meters. They stated that this proposed cement factory would extend from the Colombo - Katunayake main road to the lagoon.

Protesters emphasized that serious environmental problems could arise due to cement dust and noise pollution within the Free Trade Zone, where important locations such as Katunayake International Airport, several tourist hotels, three international schools, the Negombo Lagoon which provides livelihoods for thousands of fishermen, the Liyanagemulla protected mangrove system, and worker dormitories are situated. They pointed out that this is a densely populated area, a major tourist zone, and a highly sensitive environmental zone. Protesters stated that airport engineers have indicated that air pollution caused by cement dust emitted from this factory, located near the airport runway, could affect aircraft engines and machinery at the airport.

Over a thousand protesters, including the Maha Sangha, Catholic priests, fishing communities, environmentalists, civil society representatives, parents of children from international schools, employees of tourist hotels, and the business community, participated in this protest.