Amunugama tackles solid waste management issue

The problem of lack of waste management in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and most of the major cities in the island, is now a very serious issue, which has a negative effect on the health of the public. If this is not solved we will see key sectors such as tourism affected adversely.

Dr Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion held a meeting last week with senior government officials to discuss the waste disposal crisis in Colombo and outside.

It was attended by officials such as Dr P. Ramanujan, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Dhara Wijayathilake, Secretary, Ministry of Planning, P. Abeygunasekera, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Gemunu Alawathgama, General Manager of the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, and Chairman/ Director General of the BOI Dhammika Perera.

Also present were six companies that have applied to the BOI to set up waste management enterprises. According to a BOI press release, Dr Amunugama instructed the BOI to expedite the implementation of solid waste disposal projects. He requested the other state institutions to lend their support to such projects.

“The problem of lack of waste management in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and most of the major cities in the island, is now a very serious issue, which has a negative effect on the health of the public. If this is not solved we will see key sectors such as tourism affected adversely.

Furthermore will any rational-minded investor opt for a country that does not maintain high standards in the area of sanitation, health and waste management?” the minister asked.

He said that government land must be allocated for the disposal of land, concessions must be given by the BOI to investors seeking to develop waste management projects and companies must also work with local authorities to ensure that there is a good service for the public.