RANAWAKA URGES PREZ TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Despite several months having passed since the handing over of the Presidential Commission on the report of the collapse of the Meetotamulla Garbage Dump, none of the recommendations of the report had been implemented, Western Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

The garbage dump collapsed on the Sinhala and Hindu New Year day (April 14) on 2017, killing 32 people.

President Sirisena appointed the one- member commission on April 26, 2017, with retired High Court Judge Chandradasa Nanayakkara. The report of the Commission was handed over to the President on February 6, this year.

Minister Ranawaka requested the President to do justice to the 32 residents killed due to the collapse of the dump by implementing the recommendations of the report.

Residents alleged that it had become a blessing for many politicians who get contracts for supplying vehicles for garbage transportation to the dump

The 300-foot high garbage dump is situated on a land area of over 21 acres.

Residents alleged that it had become a blessing for many politicians who get contracts for supplying vehicles for garbage transportation to the dump. It is also alleged that the delay in taking a decision on the garbage dump has been caused by the influence of these politicians.

The Minister said that Megapolis Ministry had planned to develop the garbage dump into a green park, as the solid waste disposal is now moved to Aruwakkalu, Puttalam.