Tough action against errant local bodies

by Shanika Sriyananda

Tough regulations will be implemented by the Government to take legal action against local authorities which fail to heed State directives.

Lands, Irrigation, Agriculture and Environment Minister Mathripala Sirisena told a news conference that some of the local authorities pay little attention to vital decisions of the Government.

"Garbage is a serious problem in all parts of the country and the public will pass the blame to the Ministry and the Central Environment Authority (CEA)," he said.

According to Minister Sirisena the real culprits were the local Government authorities, which were required to dispose garbage.

"But the lethargic attitudes of these institutions and their failure to follow our directives has made these issues worse," he said, adding that sometimes their political agendas too hinder prompt action to solve the issues.

Minister said that there are weaknesses in the National Environment Act which should be amended to empower the Ministry to take legal action against errant local authorities. Minister Sirisena however, is positive of a future change in these institutions after the forthcoming Local Government elections.

President Mahinda Rajapakshe recently held a meeting with the Colombo Municipal Council to find a solution for the garbage problem.

The CEA has recently identified a land in the Western Province to dispose over 300 tones of waste daily and find alternative land for garbage disposal in other parts of the country.

Compost bins and bags in separate colours to separate household waste, paper and glass were distributed among all the local Government authorities but only the Maharagama and Keleniya Pradeshiya Sabha are carrying out the programme properly, the CEA officials said.