Tougher action to address garbage problem

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka and Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to step up action to address the country's growing garbage problem at a special meeting held at Temple Trees.

The President has asked the two Ministers to take all relevant measures to see that solid waste disposals are managed on a firm footing, Environment Ministry sources said.

Director General of the Central Environment Authority (CEA) Pasan Gunasena yesterday said, they have been instructed by Minister Ranawaka to identify suitable sites for solid waste disposals. The authority has identified five sites for the purpose, he said.

"The CEA is presently dealing with the Land Reforms Commission to acquire these lands," he added.

Minister Ranawaka has warned local government bodies, which are supposed to help the Environment Ministry's waste disposal program, Pilisaru, that he would take legal action against them if they should fail to manage waste disposals in their areas.

Minister Ranawaka said "it is the responsibility of the local government bodies to manage their garbage disposals and dumping sites and it is my duty to bring them to Courts if they do not carry out their duties to meet this requirement."

The majority of the local government bodies are inclined to work with private companies over the garbage issue than to work with the Environment Ministry, that is ready to assist them in the process, he said. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued an interim order restraining two private companies from interfering with the duties of the Colombo Municipal Council in respect of its solid waste disposals and management activities following a fundamental rights petition filed by CMC Opposition Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara against the accumulation of garbage at a site in Kotahena without a proper disposal mechanism.

A Court order has also been issued to the CMC to ensure proper disposal of the solid waste system in the future.

It has issued another interim order directing the CMC Special Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner to immediately commence operations to establish proper disposal of waste at the garbage site concerned. The matter was listed for March 30.