Meetotamulla garbage mountain to persist for two years

Friday, 8 April 2016 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

The long-standing garbage dump at Meetotamulla will remain for at least two more years till the Government finalises a solution to solve the escalating waste management problem and promote recycling.

Currently five ministries have joined forces to find a solution to remove the garbage dump from Meetotamulla and to recycle. According to Deputy Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Lasantha Alagiyawanna, more time is required to complete the process by following stringent Government regulations.

“We have received 57 applications expressing interest to recycle the garbage at Meetotamulla dump. Secretaries of the five ministries have formed a committee. The project will be launched as a public – private partnership,” said Minister in response to a supplementary question of UNP MP S. M. Marikkar.

“These proposals were with you for over a year. As far as I know, a bond of $50,000 has been asked from a proposal whereas the refundable deposit will be $25,000. Nobody would submit a proposal and stomach a loss of $25,000 in case of rejection. So, this seems to be a plan to jeopardise the recycling plant program,” charged MP Marikkar.

Unable to set an exact timeline or a plan, the Minister outlined two solutions. “This is an issue which accumulated over a period of three decades. We will not move the dump to Puttalam due to a public outcry but will explore substitutes. We have called proposals to recycle the garbage dump. So, whichever comes first from these two plans will be executed. We are exploring the financial viabilities of the recycling plant projects. The process needs to follow technical evaluations as well. So, the process takes time. We have discussed this at several levels and are now following state regulations and guidelines,” he said.