News
Blame game takes centrestage in Parliament as garbage mounts
View(s):JVP MP Vijitha Herath this week moved an adjournment motion in Parliament on the garbage problem confronting Gampaha District residents, and spoke in detail about it.
Following are extracts of views expressed during the debate.
Gampaha District JVP
MP Vijitha Herath:Â Â
Due to the dumping of garage in heavily populated areas in the Gampaha District, many environmental problems have arisen. This is most noted in Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Negombo, Kochchikade, Ja-ela, Mirigama and Kadawatha, where it has become a very serious problem for the people. Due to this problem, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) faced protests by residents of Meethotamulla against the dumping of garbage there.
There is a move to shift this problem to the Gampaha District. What is necessary is a national policy on solid waste disposal. But the Government has no such plan, and like all other issues, it is shifting this problem to another area. It is the Government’s responsibility to solve the problem for the Meethotamulla residents, but that does not mean the problem gets shifted to the Gampaha District. There was a move to dump the garbage at Othey Kele in the Gampaha District, but due to protests from the residents and the Buddhist and Catholic clergy, it was temporarily halted, while there is no guarantee the stoppage is permanent. Even Government members have been told not to speak on this issue. In September 2016, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) in a report stated that open dumping cannot be recommended in this area, as there is a huge risk of surface and ground water pollution in this area bordered by canals. The proposed land is highly sensitive due to its low lying situation and being bordered by the Attanagalla Oya.
The Government intends to dump 800 metric tonnes of garbage per day on this 35 -acre plot. This area surrounds paddy fields, in addition to being a densely populated area with residents, schools and places of worship.
It has been identified as a wetland and trying to fill it up this way will also lead to flooding, which did happen last June. It is only by leaving this land vacant that flooding can be avoided. There is also a court case pending in this connection, but government authorities are adamant on dumping garbage here. Members of both the Buddhist and Catholic clergy have united to bring this problem to the attention of the President. There are moves to change the findings of the CEA report, so that garbage can be dumped here.
There was a fire at the Meeethotamulla garbage dump. Such things can happen in garbage dumps which can release harmful gases hazardous to the people. These should be shifted to sparsely populated areas. You cannot think of only the Colombo voters and shift the garbage to Ja-ela.
Gampaha District UPFA
MP Indika Anuruddha:
This is a major problem in the Gampaha District. There are 10 Government MPs representing this District. I hope they will take up this issue with the President and the Prime Minister. As someone who has been in local government bodies, I am well aware of this. Now its two years since the local bodies terms have lapsed and today, garbage is not getting collected and dengue is spreading. Today, no work gets done by these local bodies.
Gampaha District UNP
MP Kavinda Jayawardena:
It is unfortunate that we have not been able to implement a comprehensive programme to recycle garbage. Even if the garbage is not collected, it is the politicians who get lambasted. There are people who make money out of this garbage problem. We understand the problem faced by those in Meethotamulla, but taking this garbage to Ja-ela will not solve this problem. The Government has now launched several programmes to tackle this problem and they will bear fruit soon.
Minister of Provincial Councils
& Local Govt. Faizser Musthapha:Â Â
Today, garbage disposal is a national problem. We cannot find a solution to this by looking at it through a regional prism. Today, all over the world, with the development of modern technology, garbage has become a huge asset. Recycling garbage takes place in all major cities in the world. However, people in Sri Lanka still fear garbage. I must assure the people that we will not create a garbage dump without the consent of the people. We are trying to move with the modern world and engage in recycling garbage. Don’t look at this in a regional manner. We must look at this in a national manner. Several ministries are working together to resolve this issue. I would like to appeal to all MPs to look at this in a national minded manner and come together to resolve this issue. I am of the view that no garbage should be dumped in the area unless there is a discussion with the people and there is consent for the process.