PM says courts banning garbage disposal detrimental to public health

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that courts issuing restraining orders banning the disposal of garbage would pave the way for further spread of disease such as dengue and cause more deaths.

He also questioned how the court can give an order against the continuance of an essential service. “The courts are bound by the duty of summoning all parties concerned and hear their concerns before giving orders. This is a serious problem. People are dying of dengue. If the courts continue to issue orders of this nature, there would be further deaths and spread of diseases,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that the lack of a proper place to dispose garbage collected in cities was the main problem for the garbage problem. “We are planning to find a permanent solution for this problem. As a part of this solution we have instructed to dispose garbage by regionally. We have initiated bringing about nine machines to manufacture compost fertilizers and they would be distributed in nine provinces. We have also commenced 25 projects to recycle garbage. We are also planning to purchase 100 vehicles and to obtain 150 more vehicles under Korean government’s assistance to transport garbage,” the Prime Minister said in response to a question raised by JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake.

(CK)