Gohagoda garbage mountain keeps growing

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka, was questioned by journalists regarding the Gohagoda garbage mountain located bordering the Mahaweli river in Kandy. The Minister replied that the Colombo Municipal Council is segregating the garbage in order to ensure the beauty of the city of Colombo. He also explained that there are two methods in which power could be generated from garbage and the same should take place in Kandy as well. The Minister explained that he is not responsible for ensuring the proper disposal of garbage, even in Colombo. However, four years ago on the 20th of April 2014, the Minister had a very controversial opinion on the garbage issue. Addressing the media the Minister had stated that the main issues are in Colombo, Kotte, Kolonnawa, Dehiwala, Mount-Lavinia and Moratuwa and that there are large garbage mountains in Moratuwa, Gohagoda and Gampola. He had also stated that the waste is disposed into the Mahaweli river and that the same water is obtained for drinking purposes and that it should be controlled. So who which authority permitted the dumping of garbage at the Gohagoda garbage mountain? If this results in the loss of life, who will take the responsibility for that? Attempts taken by News1st to contact the Chairman of the Haris-Pattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha for a comment on the matter proved futile.