Moves to solve garbage problem

Atapattu BANDARA

The Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry will distribute garbage management equipment and vehicles among provincial councils to eradicate the garbage problem.

Facilities and technical guidelines will be provided for garbage management, garbage disposal and collection, garbage compost projects, preparation of land to dispose garbage, facilities for the separation of garbage and proper procedure for recycling garbage.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athaulla distributed garbage management equipment and vehicles valued at Rs 19 million among eight provincial councils including Jaffna and the Eravur Urban Council and Bulathsinhala, Thamankaduwa, Central Nuwaragam Palath, Kobeigane, Udunuwara and Thawalama Provincial Councils at the ministry.

The ministry expects to enhance infrastructure facilities of low income provincial councils through its Pura Neguma project being carried out with Asian Development Bank (ADB) financial assistance. The ADB has allocated Rs 7,000 million for this project.

The project's objective is to create a future vision to systemize garbage management in all provinces and initiate projects to expedite future plans on garbage management.

The minister addressing the gathering said swift action will be taken to make Sri Lanka garbage free and create a healthy nation.

Minister Athaulla said proper and durable solutions will be provided to the garbage issue soon.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Deputy Minister Indika Banadaranayake and Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayathilaka were also present.