CMC to select tenderer for garbage clearing

Shirley WIJESINGHE

The Selecting of a prospective tenderer for garbage collecting in the Colombo Municipality area is currently being evaluated and priority will be given to the proposal with proven technology and most advantageous, CMC Waste Management Unit Director P. Thangamil told the Daily News yesterday adding that they were strictly following the guidelines set by the supreme court.

The evaluation board comprise a representative of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), Board of Investment ( BoI), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and Finance Ministry, Thangamil added. Objection of villagers in area sorounding present dump site in Kolonnawa Potuvilkumbura is still a concern of the Municipality authorities, he said.

Refusing the claim that mosquito borne diseases are influenced by ad hoc garbage disposing, Thangamil said according to the statistics there was no rapid development of mosquito borne diseases in such areas as a result of dumping garbage. Meanwhile CMC Public Heath Department Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. M. Balasuriya said that the timely intervention by the Public Health Department of CMC helped control the dengue in the city area from reaching epidemic level. Dr. Balasuriya added that the survey carried out in main hospitals by Municipality's Public Health Inspectors was result-oriented and very helpful to conduct awareness programs and afterward chemical treatment programs.

Dr. Balasuriya said that only 720 dengue cases and 10 deaths had been reported from Colombo City up-to-date where as the situation was much worse in other towns.