Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara on Tuesday called for a structured and long-term approach to solid waste management after inspecting the Kerawalapitiya Waste Management Facility, warning that improper disposal practices have created serious environmental challenges.
The facility has been used to temporarily dispose of garbage collected within the Colombo Municipal Council area following the collapse of the Meethotamulla garbage dump in Kolonnawa.
Located in an industrial zone in the Gampaha District, the Kerawalapitiya site receives about 400 metric tons of biodegradable waste and 200 metric tons of non-biodegradable waste daily from 23 local government authorities and around 60 registered private institutions, officials said.
More than 600,000 metric tons of waste have accumulated at the facility so far. About 30 metric tons are processed daily through waste management operations to produce compost, while the remaining waste is disposed of using soil protection methods.
Gunasekara said illegal dumping of waste into low-lying and marshy lands in the past has contributed to severe environmental and operational problems.
“Waste management cannot be done by simply dumping garbage. It must be carried out through a practical, systematic and well-planned process,” the deputy minister said, calling for sustainable solutions to prevent further environmental damage. (Newswire)
