Government to implement comprehensive program to remove flood debris

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday instructed officials to implement a comprehensive program to remove flood debris and waste caused by the recent floods and landslides. 

Speaking at a meeting on waste management in Colombo and the suburbs, the President inquired into the progress of waste management programs implemented in Colombo and the suburbs, while applying new laws on waste management.

President Sirisena pointed out the importance of the public and private sectors working together in this process.

Strategies to minimise the use of plastic and polythene were also discussed at the meeting. The President pointed out the necessity of executing programs to train officials on waste separation and to inform the public about them.

Attention was drawn to launching a special program to educate schoolchildren of these initiatives through the Ministry of Education and the President further instructed the Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government to hold seminars to educate the Local Government Assistant Commissioners and Secretaries of Local Government institutions about waste management.

Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Faiszer Musthapha, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Sagala Rathnayake, parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar, public officials including ministry secretaries and senior security officers including the Inspector General of Police participated in this meeting.