Kalpitiya Youth Raise Environmental and Social Justice Concerns – Norochcholai Power Plant Dialogue

A two-day workshop was conducted with 25 young participants and 5 government officers from 16 Grama Niladhari Divisions affiliated with the Kalpitiya Divisional Secretariat. The training focused on:
Social Cohesion
Gender Equality
Climate Change Awareness
On the second day, a powerful and urgent dialogue unfolded between the youth and government officers regarding the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, a major contributor to environmental degradation and social injustice in the region.

Community Concerns Raised
Participants shared that the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant is severely impacting community health and climate stability due to the emission of toxic gases like:
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
As a result, local populations are experiencing alarming levels of:
Acute respiratory illnesses
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Cough and chronic lung conditions
Heart disease and cardiac arrest
Eye irritation
Rising cancer cases
These health impacts are long-term and irreversible, severely affecting community life and wellbeing.

Key Outcome
Government officials agreed to present the concerns of the youth at the upcoming District Coordination Committee meeting on the 15th of this month. This marks a significant step in youth civic engagement and policy advocacy for environmental and health justice.

Key Themes
Climate change and public health
Social cohesion through intergenerational dialogue
Youth-led environmental advocacy
Civic engagement and local governance
Environmental justice for vulnerable communities