Splendour of esplanade: Gone with the dump

In the late sixties, the Badulla Municipal Council authorities decided to fill up the low-lying section of the Badulla esplanade (once a lake) to bring it on level with the old pavilion section. The idea was to make it a vast area and convert this esplanade to a sports ground of international standard to cater to all types of sports enthusiasts of the region and outside.

To fill up the low-lying area it was decided to dump the garbage collected daily in this section of the ground. The filling-up process started with much enthusiasm but as time went on, the intention of converting this ground to international requirements faded away from the hearts and minds of the officials due to frequent changes that took place in the political arena and its administration.

Today, this section of the ground has become the main refuse dumping area of the town, and the breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies, stray dogs, stray cattle and all sorts of pests. It is a health threat to Badulla residents.

The nauseating smell emitted from this refuse dump causes much inconvenience to people who visit this esplanade daily. The most affected are the Al Athan and the Dharmaduta schoolchildren and their teachers who are compelled to breathe this polluted air from morning till evening.

It is time that the authorities find another place far away from Badulla town to dump garbage without any further delay in the interest of Badulla residents.

By D. Sivarajah, Badulla