Garbage dump smoke closes Badulla schools

Residents of Badulla forced to wear face masks as smoke engulfs the city - Several schools in Badulla were temporarily closed yesterday after four students were hospitalised after inhaling smoke that emanated from a garbage dump at Badulupitiya. The smoke from the garbage dump had spread across Badulla town. Badulla Police said four schoolchildren were admitted to Badulla Hospital after inhaling the air mixed with the smoke. The garbage dump in a five acre area which had amassed during a period of five years, had dried due to the dry weather and caught fire.