Over three tonnes of e-waste collected

Nethali STRUYS

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) in collaboration with 14 private companies commenced the National Electronic Waste Management Programme for the second time to keep the country free of electronic waste at Henry Pedris grounds from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm yesterday.

About three and a half tonnes of electronic waste was collected last time, CEA Waste Management Unit Acting Director Sarojini Jayasekara told the Daily News.

The waste will be shipped to China by N S Gunaratne and Co Pvt Ltd for recycling' Sri Lanka will receive a recycle certificate from China stating the amount which was successfully recycled.

"Heavy metal discharged by electronic equipment can pollute water and soil which can cause serious illnesses," said CEA Chairman Charitha Herath.

Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, Dialog, Etisalat, Hutch and Lanka Bell representing the telecommunication field, Singer and Abans from the field of home electronic appliances, Metropolitan, E-Wis, Virtusa, ABC Trade and Investments representing office equipment and Geo Cycle and Green link in the field of bulk waste disposing sector have joined in this programme.

People are requested to contribute to this programme by handing over home and office electronic waste to Singer Sri Lanka showrooms islandwide.