The generation of solid waste has become an increasing environmental and public health problem everywhere in the world, especially in developing countries.The rate of generation of solid waste in the society is increasing with an increase of population, technological development, and the changes in the life styles of the people. As family size and income are the most significant factors affecting the quantity of solid waste from household consumption, a study on the relationship among these is vital in the decision making on waste management strategies.Therefore, a study was conducted at Manmunai North Divisional Secretariat areas of Batticaloa district to find out the correlation among residential solid waste generation, family size and income. The household sector is one of the primary sources of solid wastes in the study area. This study covered 100 houses with different socioeconomic levels such as income level and family size. There were six components of solid waste; food waste, paper, polyethylene, plastic, glass and metal which were evaluated in this study.Present study revealed that residential solid waste generation showed nonsignificant positive correlation (r = 0.184, p>0.05) with monthly income whereas significant positive correlation (r = 0.476, p<0.01) was found with t he family size.Based on monthly income, generation of food, paper, plastic and glass waste showed non-significant positive correlation while non-significant negative correlation was found with polyethylene waste. Further, residential waste generation suc h as food, paper, plastic and metal showed significant positive correlation with family size K Sivakukar et al. 14 whereas generation of glass and polyethylene waste showed non-significant positive correlation with family size.

The present study was undertaken to characterise the spatial and temporal dynamics of physico-chemical parameters of the Batticaloa Lagoon in Sri Lanka during November 2012 to October 2013. Eighteen sampling locations were clustered based on their positions from the Palameenmadu bar mouth. Physico-chemical parameters like temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, nitrate, phosphate and total suspended solids (TSS) were measured 15-30 cm below the water surface. The study revealed that the water temperature of the lagoon varied between 26.

Groundwater is a precious natural water resource considered as a readily available and safe source of water for domestic, agriculture and industrial uses. In Sri Lanka, groundwater is being polluted due to various human activities. Improper solid waste management is one of the major sources of environmental pollution deteriorating groundwater quality around landfill sites. In this view, present study was carried out to assess the impact of existing landfill site on groundwater quality at Thirupperunthurai, Batticaloa. In order to achieve this, 20 well water samples around landfill site at different distance were analyzed. Parameters analyzed are pH, EC, TDS, BOD, COD, total hardness, phosphate, nitrate, copper, lead and coliform population. Results revealed that concentration of all the parameters except for pH, are higher than acceptable limits for safe drinking water. The distance from the landfill site also influences on groundwater quality. Overall, the groundwater is highly polluted due to existing landfill site in this study area. Therefore, the relevant authority should take immediate measures to rescue this area.

Batticaloa lagoon occupies an area of 168 km 2 in the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. Change in lagoon water salinity is an important aspect that affects the availability and composition of aquatic resources and the livelihoods of the people who are depending on these resources. In this view, lagoon water level, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, pH and temperature were continuously monitored at two locations, namely Kallady and Manmunaithurai, which are located 7.5 km apart. Readings were taken at weekly intervals during the wet season between September 2012 to March 2013. The lagoon water levels varied between 0.01 and 1.32 m above mean sea level (AMSL) at Kallady, which is located near the barmouth, whereas the variation at Manmunalthurai was between 0.15 and 1.54 m. Corresponding salinity variation was from 37.5 to 3.5 ppt and 31.0 to 4.5 ppt at Kallady and Manmunaithurai, respectively. Surface water temperature at these two locations varied between 25.1 o C to 30.6 o C and the pH varied between a narrow range of 7.7 and 8.7. Salinity showed a highly significant decreasing trend with time (r=-0.693 and-0.71, p<0.01 at Kallady and Manmunai area, respectively) during the rainy season. Similarly, a significant positive correlation was observed between the rainfall amount and the lagoon water height (r=0.782 and r=0.853, p<0.01 at Kallady and Manmunai area, respectively). However, salinity showed no significant correlation with lagoon water height and the amount of rainfall. This may be due to the influence of tidal action on lagoon water salinity. The study revealed that a substantial variation in salinity occurs during a short period during the wet season and warrants further investigation on its influence on ecosystem and livelihoods.

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