President instructs IGP to deal severely with offenders

Obstructing waste disposal

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday instructed Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara to strictly enforce the law against persons who obstruct waste disposal by the Local Government Authorities at selected sites and to provide security to these locations as well.

These instructions were given at an urgent discussion held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to streamline solid waste management at local government institutions, at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (27).

During the meeting discussions focussed on the re-arrangement of garbage dumps, removal of garbage piling up in flood affected areas, the introduction of machines that can produce compost within a short period of time, obtaining the contribution of the private sector to streamline the waste management process, apprise the public in this regard, issuance of a Gazette Notification to minimize the use of polythene and the implementation of the guidelines and instructions on waste management.

President Sirisena pointed out that the lack of awareness among the public about proper waste management is the main reason for many issues

President Sirisena pointed out that the lack of awareness among the public about proper waste management is the main reason for many issues that had arisen in this regard and gave instructions to implement a broad programme to apprise the public about segregating their waste properly. During this meeting the Municipal Commissioner of Colombo had explained the manner in which waste management was taking place in the City and the President handed over the responsibility of waste collection within the Colombo City to the Chief Minister of the Western Province, Isura Devapriya.

Many issues faced by Local Government Authorities in the process of waste management were brought to the notice of the President together with few of their requirements, including obtaining machinery and vehicles to complete their tasks successfully.

Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Sajith Premadasa, Faiszer Musthapha, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Vajira Abeywardena, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Sagala Ratnayake, Susil Premajayantha, heads of Local Government Authorities and ministry secretaries participated in the discussion.