Conflicting reports on the MEETHOTAMULLA GARBAGE DUMP

The Colombo Municipality refuted claims made by Meethotamulla residents that the area to dump garbage had been expanded and plans were afoot to remove 180 families.

Leader of the Jansetha Peramuna, Nuwan Bopage said a Cabinet Subcommittee had approved plans to expand the land area to dump garbage by three and a half acres with additional plans to relocate 180 families in the area.

“The government promised to stop the garbage being dumped in Meethotamulla and a Subcommittee was appointed to look into the matter,” he said. The situation at the dumping site was critical with the large mountain of garbage on the verge of toppling at any time, he said.

“The Municipality already removed 300 families and now they are making plans to remove another 180 families,” he said.

“The cost of the relocation is to be borne by the Metro Colombo Solid Waste Management Project. Approximately 200 families around the dump yard are to be relocated to facilitate the construction of a transfer station,” he said.

Refuting this statement, Colombo Municipal Commissioner V. K. A Anura said they had no plans to expand the area and that the Municipality was however on the lookout for an entirely new dump yard. “This is not true we have been unfairly accused of. We are looking for a new land to dump garbage and we will remove the garbage dumped at Meethotamulla in the future,” he said.

The Municipality had called for tenders to purchase a new land to dump garbage. The advertisements had already been carried in the newspapers, the Commissioner said.

Garbage disposal has been identified as a massive issue for the city with approximately 1,200 metric tones of rubbish collected per day with nowhere to dispose the garbage.