At a meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on waste management it was decided that the responsibility of waste collection within the city would be given over to the Chief Minister of the Western Province, Isura Devapriya.
Other issues including the reconstruction of garbage dumps, removal of garbage piling up in flood affected areas, introduction of machines to produce compost within a short period, obtaining the contribution of the private sector to streamline waste management, apprising the public, issuance of a Gazette Notification to minimize the use of polythene and the implementation of the guideline for waste management were also discussed at the meeting.
The President instructed the IGP to enforce the law against the persons who obstruct waste disposal at the selected sites by the Local Government Authorities and further instructed to provide security for these places.
President Sirisena pointed out that the lack of awareness among the public about proper waste management is the main reason for many issues arisen in this regard and gave instructions to implement a broad program to apprise the public regarding the waste segregation.
Furthermore, issues faced by the Local Government Authorities in the process of waste management were presented to the President together with few of their requirements, including obtaining machinery and vehicles.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Vajira Abeywardena, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Sajith Premadasa, Faizer Mustapha, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Sagala Rathnayaka, Susil Premajayantha, Heads of the Local Government Authorities, Ministry Secretaries and public servants participated in this meeting.