‘Happy Streets’ event leaves Marine Drive covered in trash

4 August 2025 11:30 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 30 Bookmark

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Colombo, August 4 (Daily Mirror) - The “Happy Streets” event, held on August 3 from 6 AM to 11 PM along the Colpetty stretch of Marine Drive, ended with streets covered in garbage, leaving many disappointed the next morning.

Billed as Sri Lanka’s first official street nightlife, the event included music concerts, yoga zones, Zumba sessions, street games, a car show, and food stalls.

While thousands attended and enjoyed the activities, the aftermath was far from pleasant.

By dawn today, the area was filled with used food boxes, plastic bottles, bags, coconut shells, and other waste.

Photos show trash scattered across the road and pavements, with crows rummaging through the mess.

Garbage bags were left open, and the once-clean stretch looked more like a dumping ground.

However, organisers have not yet responded to the situation.

Comments - 30

MirakRajBanda Monday, 04 August 2025 11:35 AM

Simply disgusting!!!!!!!!!!

0 47

Wathsi Monday, 04 August 2025 12:02 PM

Sad. The so called urban and modern people have shown their reality and stupidity!

0 43

Citizen Monday, 04 August 2025 12:06 PM

This is NPP’s Clean Sri Lanka Where is the Newly Elected Mayor of Colombo Balthazar - Is She on 2nd Honeymoon

26 27

JRDW Monday, 04 August 2025 02:59 PM

Its not the fault of the mayor its the way people live they happily throw and let others carry the garbage, i thought we are better now but sadly no we are the same.

5 27

Sokrates Monday, 04 August 2025 12:10 PM

There is still a long way to go before Sri Lankans become civilised.

2 43

Curious Monday, 04 August 2025 08:31 PM

Depends on what your definition of civilised is! Have you ever been to a concert in a park in London, Uk, which is why some residents object to music events in their locality?

1 0

Just saying Monday, 04 August 2025 09:04 PM

At least our ancestors are not renowned for gas chambers and concentration camps! How civilised!

0 0

Did Health Authorities Check If Industrial Bins Placed And Monday, 04 August 2025 12:18 PM

Doesn’t seem to have Heavy Duty Trash Rectangular Bins around. Organisers at fault if a substantial amount of Bins were not placed for such a big event. The Health authorities and Police must be checking on these important matters before approving this event.

0 39

Sashi Monday, 04 August 2025 09:06 PM

Constructive comments are always better than snide comments! Thank you.

0 1

Sashi Monday, 04 August 2025 09:07 PM

Constructive comments are always better than snide comments! Thank you.

0 0

Sashi Monday, 04 August 2025 09:07 PM

Constructive comments are always helpful. Thanks.

0 0

CMC Monday, 04 August 2025 12:18 PM

Organisers must take responsibility? Who gave permission to do this ? Is it CMC? Is they have given permission without any rule to do this ? Let CMC to pay to clean up? Anyone before giving permission must have told them about any penalty for failure to clean up? Why not ? CMC find people who did it and send a penalty notice for not cleaning up? Do it one time next time no one will do this ?

0 27

Nihal Jayaweera Monday, 04 August 2025 12:26 PM

Poster Boys of the Govt., can do a clean up as usual ...........! That's the only thing they could do with its 64 yrs experience ..........! nj

6 8

Kinza Majid Monday, 04 August 2025 12:41 PM

JVP power - Gota would have sacked all responsible - it's so much better now because everyone has their rights and no one to take the blame except former presidents - right?

19 10

Priyan66 Monday, 04 August 2025 12:51 PM

CMC should ask organizers to keep enough trash bins

0 25

Ravi Monday, 04 August 2025 01:00 PM

Not a single waste bin in sight. Organisers of such events need to provide sufficient waste bins for people to dispose their garbage, and of course the public must be cultured to place their garbage within these bins. Sri Lanka has a severe shortage of waste bins to be located in neighborhoods and at public places for people to place their garbage.

0 33

kuma Monday, 04 August 2025 01:16 PM

fine/ prosecute the organisers

1 18

True nature of Lankans Monday, 04 August 2025 01:22 PM

This clealry shows the typical way's of majority of Sri Lankans . How they have been educated and how decipline they are . Do this in Japan and you won't find any dirt . No matter near temple or any place Sri Lankans will always leave the trade mark behind . We need rules like Singapore. This government can do it...they have the power. And we talk about a proud 2500 year history.

1 35

L de Silva Monday, 04 August 2025 01:33 PM

Absolutely disgusting and very irresponsible behaviour by the Organisers! Request the authroties to take immediate action to fine/penalise the wrong-doers!

0 20

Victor Monday, 04 August 2025 01:40 PM

Clean it and send the bill to the organisers. It’s not fair to wash their hands off

0 25

Dirty Sri Lanka Monday, 04 August 2025 01:41 PM

What happened to clean Sri Lanka?

2 25

Joe Monday, 04 August 2025 01:50 PM

A combination of organisers not having enough trash bins and a trash collection plan and vendors and customers being uncivilised apes.

0 26

concerened Monday, 04 August 2025 02:00 PM

Very bad organizing there was no electricity after 8pm all stalls were in the dark even the street lights did not function, although they said it will be untill 11 pm the entire area was in darkness after 8 very sad as there were massive crowds the organizers had not kept any garbage bins naturally the streets got filled at least they should have arranged a cleaning after the event they had not done so.

0 18

Taatan Monday, 04 August 2025 02:14 PM

It’s disappointing that a joyful event like “Happy Streets” ended with garbage-strewn streets. Sri Lanka is often praised by tourists for being cleaner than other South Asian countries. We must protect that image. Vendors and stall owners should manage their waste responsibly, and attendees must also dispose of trash properly. Equally important is the role of event organizers and the Colombo Municipal Council. Planning for such a large-scale event should include proper waste disposal systems. Visible trash bins and a cleanup crew scheduled to act immediately after the event.

0 24

Humming bird Monday, 04 August 2025 02:14 PM

Clean Sri Lanka

3 16

sunil Monday, 04 August 2025 02:39 PM

compared with this the recent Bhora C0mmunity event in Bambalapitiya was so well organized and even with thousand of worshippers there was absolutely no trash left behind.

0 24

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 04 August 2025 04:11 PM

Now there is an opportunity to even create more propaganda for the clearn Sri lanka army.

0 0

Edee Monday, 04 August 2025 04:38 PM

Wake up CMC. Get the organizers into tasks

0 0

Helanka Monday, 04 August 2025 08:40 PM

How many trash bins can you count in urban cities in Sri Lanka let alone Colombo? Try it...someone has to first get down to basics before considering cleaning up the country...do your research and then take decisions.

0 1

Ylg Tuesday, 05 August 2025 04:45 AM

Seriously? Miss. Balthazar over to you. Didn't y'all first look into garbage disposal when organizing the event? Wasn't the place policed?

0 1

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