(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Another discussion was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena to streamline the waste management of the Local Government Institutions, at the Presidential Secretariat, on Tuesday (27).
During this meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the reconstruction of garbage dumps, removal of garbage piling up in flood affected areas, introduction of machines that can produce compost within a short period of time, taking the contribution of the private sector to streamline the waste management, apprise the public in this regard, issuance of a Gazette Notification to minimize the use of polythene and the implementation of the guideline for waste management.
The President instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to enforce the law against the persons who obstruct waste disposal at the selected sites by the Local Government Authorities and further instructed to provide security for these places.
President Sirisena pointed out that the lack of awareness among the public about proper waste management is the main reason for many issues arisen in this regard and gave instructions to implement a broad programme to apprise the public regarding the waste segregation.
During this meeting the Municipal Commissioner of Colombo explained the current progress of the waste management in the city and the President hand over the responsibility of waste collection within the city to the Chief Minister of the Western Province, Isura Devapriya.
Furthermore, issues faced by the Local Government Authorities in the process of waste management were presented to the President together with few of their requirements, including obtaining machinery and vehicles.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Vajira Abeywardena, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Sajith Premadasa, Faizer Mustapha, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Sagala Rathnayaka, Susil Premajayantha, Heads of the Local Government Authorities, Ministry Secretaries and public servants participated in this meeting.