COLOMBO (News 1st) – It’s been exactly a year since the Meethotamulla garbage dump claimed lives of 32 people.

Even a year after the disaster, there are questions that remain unanswered.

Two years ago, the people affected by the Meethotamulla garbage dump took to the streets demanding a solution to the issue. Social activists including Keerthiratne Perera took the leadership on this matter.

Keerthiratne and one of his grand-children survived this tragedy. However, his wife, children and other grandchildren were not so fortunate.

At a time when the entire country is celebrating the dawn of the new year, Keerthiratne and his only surviving grandson marked this day remembering their lost loved ones.

Keerthiratne Perera said:

“…For over a period of time we’ve been telling the authorities a disaster is about to happen. However, those pleas only fell on deaf ears. Take a look at how things like this are managed overseas. Garbage is a resource. We urged authorities to use the resource in a manner that would benefit the country. However, they used this situation to line up the pockets of a few. That is why our lives were struck with tragedy…”

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