Over Rs. 5.6 b to solve garbage problem
Disna MUDALIGE
"The garbage problem would be addressed at local government
institutional level with a set of properly programmed long term
projects", said Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
He said that the government has allocated over Rs 5.6 billion to
solve the garbage problem which has become a key environmental and
health issue in urban and suburban cities in the country.
He observed that under the 'Pilisaru' National Solid Waste Management
Project of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), a countrywide
programme has already been launched with the collaboration of local
government institutions as an integrated approach to the garbage
problem.
The minister was addressing a residential workshop on the management
of soild waste and natural resources and the control of environmental
pollutiona for local government heads and representatives in the North
Western Province held at the Sinharaja Kudawa camp.
He also pointed out that local government institutions have a greater
role to play in solid waste management than in the past.
The minister instructed the authorities to use the maximum powers
vested under the Local Government Act on solid waste management and
conservation of natural resources to provide sustainable solutions to
the garbage problem.
He also noted that polythene and plastic collection centres would be
opened covering all local government institutions in the near future
under the Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project. CEA Chairman
Charitha Herath, Peradeniya University Prof Shantha K Hennanayake,
Environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena, CEA Environmental Pollution
Control Division Deputy Director General K H Muthukudaarachchi, CEA
Environmental Education and Awareness Division Deputy Director General
Jayawilal Fernando, Post Consumer Plastic Project Director Bandula
Sarath Kumara were alsopresent. |