Clearing garbage in Colombo, suburbs must be given top priority - President

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a special discussion relating to Garbage Management held at Temple Trees yesterday morning emphasised that the problem of clearing garbage in Colombo and its suburbs must be given top priority in a practical way.

The discussion was convened to find immediate solutions to the problem of garbage clearance in Colombo and its neighbouring urban areas where the people are greatly inconvenienced due to the absence of a regular system of garbage management.

The problems arising out of the acquisition of lands for dumping garbage and the environmental problems which result due to piling of garbage and their disposal management were discussed on this occasion.

In the course of the discussion it transpired that a land of 26 acres in extent in Karatiyana and a few more lands at Muthurajawela could be acquired by the Government for the purpose of disposal of garbage. A decision was taken to expedite the process of this acquisition.

The President expressed his dismay over the ignorance of people concerned regarding utilization of garbage for other commercial benefits like production of compost fertilizers and power generation and requested the officials concerned to negotiate with private contractors to resort to such methods and make garbage clearance a source of income to the Government.

The officials present brought to the notice of the President that the non-availability of basic facilities for garbage clearance is a great hindrance to the local authorities whose responsibility it is to clear garbage.

The President instructed the officers concerned to obtain Government intervention to solve such problems and said that they should pay due attention to environmental rules and regulations while keeping in mind the inconveniences caused to the public due to drawbacks in garbage clearing activities.

Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray lauded the President for paying attention to the problem of garbage clearance as the first Head of the State to intervene in such matters.

Plan Implementation Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, WP Chief Minister Reginald Cooray, Deputy Minister Hussain Bahila, Municipal Council Members of Colombo and Dehiwala Mount Lavinia and Pradeshiya Sabha officials of Moratuwa and several officers from Government institutions attended the discussion.