Champika handling hi-tech projects to deal with garbage

The Government is to make a call for Request for Proposals (RFP) for “design, build and finance” a waste disposal project to deal with garbage.

Colombo-based diplomatic missions will be asked to request firms specialising in this task in their countries to make proposals.

This is after the Cabinet of Ministers approved that such a project be sited at Aruwakkaru in the Puttalam area.

It was also noted at a recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the World Bank has offered “Technical and Retroactive” financing for the project for two billion rupees in the current year with four billion rupees more to be allocated next year.

The CCEM observed that South Korea’s Dohwa Engineering Company has completed conceptual designs for “sanitary landfill and transfer stations at alternative locations at Aruwakkaru and Kelaniya.” The CCEM said initial Environmental Examination (IEE) was submitted to the Central Environment Authority (CE) on June 12. The environmental approval is expected later this month.

Besides this measure, there are at least two different Task Forces to tackle the mounting problem of garbage in the City of Colombo and suburbs.

One functions under President Maithripala Sirisena whilst the second is being formed under Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha.

It was in this backdrop that President Sirisena chaired a meeting of the Government Parliamentary Group. When the meeting began, he turned to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The President asked whether Mr. Ranawaka had any suggestions to offer on the issue of rising piles of garbage. The Minister replied that his Ministry had no mandate to deal with the sub- ject. “I cannot undertake a task of this nature without legal authority,” he declared.

President Sirisena said he would give him whatever powers he needed and asked the Minister to provide him a note listing them out. It was done and the Minister is now on the job.

His first task was to consult top officials of the Colombo Municipality to make an assessment of the situation.

Minister Ranawaka has said that he would clear the garbage piles within the Colombo Municipal limits. The resources of the CMC as well as the private sector are being used for this purpose.