(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Japan donated a stock of essential items to carry out search operations at Meethotamulla garbage dump.
Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma handed over the relief items to Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
Minister Yapa said that Japan has made this donation on a s request made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Power generators, tents, water filters, beds, mattresses and equipment to mark land and instrument’s to detect methane gas were among the items donated by Japan.
A special team from Japan will arrive in Sri Lanka to inspect the Meethotamulla garbage dump and submit a report.
Expressing his views at the occasion Ambassador Suganuma said the “Government of Japan sends our deepest condolences and sympathy for the victims of this tragedy. We would like to try our best to support the government of Sri Lanka during this issue and we have decided a three-pronged approach.”
The first is today’s provision of emergency relief. Second is dispatch of a mission consisting of experts. The team will arrive tomorrow and look at the disaster site as well as other sites for garbage disposal and try to identify the problem in a scientific and a factual manner, the Ambassador said.
“Thirdly, based on these preliminary findings, we are going to try to help the Sri Lankan government in having a comprehensive masterplan about the garbage disposal mechanism around the great Colombo area.
Minister Yapa said Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has been able to obtain assistance from Japan during his discussions with Japanese Premier last week. He thanked Japan for its prompt response by ending a stock of essential items.