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Garbage disposal-Missed opportunities end in M'mulla tragedy

22 April 2017 04:33 pm - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The tragedy at Meetotamulla could have been avoided had one of the several offers made by some private companies and foreign organizations were accepted by the previous governments, former chief ministers, mayors and Colombo municipal councillors said yesterday.

They said the first such offer was from the World Bank to the CMC in 1997, when Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was the Mayor of Colombo. The WB offered US$25 million to dump garbage in Meepe a land fill on a temporary basis. However, the project failed to materialise as a result of the political agendas of certain individuals.

Former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) member Hemantha Kumara Weerakoon said another opportunity was missed when the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) offered to assist the CMC to recycle garbage. This too failed because the Urban Development Authority (UDA) refrained from releasing a land to dump garbage temporarily. “JICA waited for two years before giving up on the project,” he said. Another opportunity was missed when a private company offered to dump garbage in Muthurajawela. He said the opportunities were missed because of CMC members who always wanted commissions from any organizations that made such offers from time to time.

“So many opportunities were lost even during the time of the UNP-backed spectacle group that administered the CMC. Once the UNP and UPFA members of the CMC hit the JVP members with glass tumblers when we opposed the move to hand over the collection of garbage to the same company which repeatedly failed to recycle garbage according to the agreement,” Mr. Weerakoon said.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had also mentioned recently that the opposition to dump garbage in Puttalam, was one of the reasons for the Meetotamulla tragedy. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 7

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  • Selvyn Saturday, 22 April 2017 02:13 PM

    Now things are exposed which could have been solution to the problem. But the gifted of houses shows govt is serious via DM Android App

    Kale Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:37 PM

    Name the names of the corrupt people who wanted "commissions"!

    gobbaya Saturday, 22 April 2017 06:18 PM

    dont worry the gravy train will move on. in another few days the issue will be forgotten a new dumping ground finalsed the cycle of commissions will commence and continue. politics in SL is like the human centipede from the top to the bottom everyone is relying on the muck from the upper level and everyone needs to keep their upper and lower levels happy for nomination and re election purposes.its high time to seperate politics from nation governance. via DM Android App

    Sincere Saturday, 22 April 2017 06:48 PM

    10% of which era you are talking about? Then or now?

    Sambo Saturday, 22 April 2017 06:51 PM

    In Sri Lanka everything depends on the kick backs given. Even if people die its ok but commission is a must. We also heard during the previous government the UNICEF wanted to make some 270 houses for the needy, but as the minister in charge did not get a commission he did not allow the project to go ahead.

    ANTON Saturday, 22 April 2017 08:49 PM

    DOES THIS GARBAGE PROBLEM EXIST ONLY IN COLOMBO, ..... WHAT ABOUT OTHER TOWNS LIKE KANDY , GALLE , MATARA, JAFFNA ......... ???

    M.M Sunday, 23 April 2017 03:24 PM

    incomprehensible 1997 almost 20 years and nothing is done till now .First of all take the money for the new Minister Cars and settle the Garbage problem around the country that is the right way. via DM Android App


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