Disna MUDALIGE
"The garbage problem would be addressed at local government institutional level with a set of properly programmed long term projects", said Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
He said that the government has allocated over Rs 5.6 billion to solve the garbage problem which has become a key environmental and health issue in urban and suburban cities in the country.
He observed that under the 'Pilisaru' National Solid Waste Management Project of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), a countrywide programme has already been launched with the collaboration of local government institutions as an integrated approach to the garbage problem.
The minister was addressing a residential workshop on the management of soild waste and natural resources and the control of environmental pollutiona for local government heads and representatives in the North Western Province held at the Sinharaja Kudawa camp.
He also pointed out that local government institutions have a greater role to play in solid waste management than in the past.
The minister instructed the authorities to use the maximum powers vested under the Local Government Act on solid waste management and conservation of natural resources to provide sustainable solutions to the garbage problem.
He also noted that polythene and plastic collection centres would be opened covering all local government institutions in the near future under the Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project. CEA Chairman Charitha Herath, Peradeniya University Prof Shantha K Hennanayake, Environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena, CEA Environmental Pollution Control Division Deputy Director General K H Muthukudaarachchi, CEA Environmental Education and Awareness Division Deputy Director General Jayawilal Fernando, Post Consumer Plastic Project Director Bandula Sarath Kumara were alsopresent.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/02/22/news21.asp
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