Committee to study Dehiwala-Mt.Lavinia garbage issue

Chaminda Perera

The Government has approved the appointment of a committee to look into the problem of garbage collection in the Dehiwala - Mount Lavinia MC limits.

This decision is sequel to a Cabinet memorandum forwarded by Urban and Sacred Area Development Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardene after the Sunrise company which undertook the task of garbage collection demanded a payment increase. According to the Urban and Sacred Area Development Ministry sources, Sunrise company entered into agreement with BOI on September 26 last year for compost and power generation project for which the UDA has provided 24.5 acres of lands.

In terms of agreement the Company should collect the garbage accumulating in the MC area and the Municipal Council makes payment for that. But the company contravening the agreement entered into with BoI, refused to collect garbage demanding a payment hike.

The company has failed to commence the operation of the project though it has enjoyed all BoI facilities, sources said.

The committee comprising representatives of Urban Development Authority, Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, Environment Ministry and the BoI will look into how they could solve this problem as accumulating garbage poses serious environment and health problems.