The Colombo District Waste Management Subcommittee convened at Parliament on Wednesday (22), focusing on municipal solid waste disposal in the Western Province and future plans to strengthen waste management. 

The session was chaired with the participation of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

The meeting reviewed current measures already in place, while also following up on matters discussed at previous sittings. 

Special attention was given to improving solid waste management systems and encouraging the public to make proper use of compost bins.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed the need for an effective mechanism to ensure proper implementation of existing waste management policies. 

She also emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about citizens’ responsibility in disposing of waste appropriately.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Colombo District Development Committee Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara, and Western Province Chief Secretary Pradeep Pushpakumara were among those present. 

Officials from the Colombo District Secretariat, the Waste Management Authority, the Urban Development Authority, the Central Environmental Authority, and the Colombo Municipal Council also attended. (Newswire)

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The Government of Korea and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new $4.7 million initiative to improve municipal solid waste management in Sri Lanka, aiming to deliver low-carbon, inclusive, and climate-resilient solutions.

Funded by Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment through the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI), the three-year project—“Scale-up and Sustain the Low-Carbon Municipal Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery in Sri Lanka”—will be implemented by UNDP Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The project targets two local authorities in the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces with demonstration sites in Gampola and Balangoda. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and vermicomposting will be deployed to reduce over 269,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions over a 10-year period.

Strategic waste management planning will also be expanded to four provinces—Northwestern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern—with a focus on decentralized systems, green financing, digital innovation, and gender inclusion.

Sri Lanka produces over 10,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily, with only half collected and minimal amounts properly treated. The initiative aims to address systemic gaps in technology, funding, and institutional capacity, especially in the wake of recent disasters like Cyclone Ditwah.

Korean and UNDP officials emphasized the project’s role in reducing emissions, strengthening local institutions, creating green jobs, and advancing Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. (Newswire)

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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)

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The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is promoting waste responsibility for a clean Colombo via a video message targeting lottery users. 

The video message shared on social media urges the public to refrain from littering and to use the bin to discard used lottery tickets. 

“Real wealth comes from our actions! Let’s take responsibility for our waste and keep our environment clean. Don’t throw waste here and there — always use the right place!” the CMC said, sharing a statement alongside the video. (Newswire)

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