The Special Sub-Committee appointed for Western Province Waste Management has held discussions focused on the current status of managing municipal solid waste generated through households, streets, institutions, and businesses, challenges, and the way forward in Western Province.
According to the Prime Minister’s office, the sub-committee convened this week (19) in Parliament with the participation of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
Extended discussions were also held on issues such as the lack of designated, dedicated and knowledgeable officers for waste management in local authorities, the shortage of suitable land and infrastructure for waste management, as well as solutions to address these issues.
Addressing the discussion, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of creating proper awareness on waste management at both community and school levels, stressing that progress can be achieved through programmes such as Praja Shakthi and Clean Sri Lanka.
PM Amarasuriya further noted that introducing waste management as a new vocational subject in collaboration with the vocational education sector could help raise public awareness on waste management while also creating career paths.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara; MP and Chairman of the Colombo District Coordination Committee Lakshman Nipunarachchi; MP and Chairman of the Advisory Council to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Suriyaarachchi, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara; officers of the District Secretariat; officials from the Central Environmental Authority; and officials from the Urban Development Authority. (Newswire)