Disposal of garbage at Aruwakkalu commences

Colombo (News 1st): Garbage from Colombo city limits will now be disposed at the Arawakkalu dump. For the fourth day today, garbage accumulated in several areas within the Colombo city limits. Municipal Commissioner Palitha Nanayakkara said the garbage was first transferred to the exchange centre in Kerawalapitiya and will thereafter be transported to the Arawakkalu garbage dumping site. 15 lorries carrying garbage had left to Arawakkalu last night. however, the Wanathawilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha protested saying that they will not permit unprocessed and non-chemicalized waste to be dumped at the site. The Chairman of the Wanathawilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Samantha Munasinghe said the garbage was disposed at Arawakkalu, after inquiring about the process. However, the municipal commissioner revealed yesterday (August 8) that after considering the adverse impact on infrastructure facilities in the area, the Wanathawilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha had requested for a monthly fee of Rs. 2.5 million. Chairman Samantha Munasinghe said he will not permit the disposal of garbage if proper standards are not met. Professor Mahesh Jayaweera, an advisor, noted that they have prepared this system, considering the highest rainfall that can be experienced during a period of 100 years, which they refer to as the written period. He noted that even if it rains tomorrow, it does not matter as there are seven layers in this system. He added that the first layer includes sand and the unclean water that drains from the garbage is recycled and reused. However, prior to disposing of garbage in Arawakkalu, the garbage must first be subject to a waste management process. Chairman of the Department of Land Reclamation and Development Roshan Gunawardena questioned as to why they should incur additional costs by transporting garbage mixed with water. He added that this is why they compress the garbage by processing it through a transfer station. He pointed out that therefore, in their station based in Kelaniya, they use machinery to remove water from the garbage as much as possible. However, he noted that as this process is not completed, they are compelled to transport the garbage which contains water. At this point, the Colombo Municipal Council has already taken steps to transport garbage accumulated within the Colombo city limits to Arawakkalu, incurring a cost of more than Rs. 120 million on a monthly basis. This cost is additional to the Rs. 2.5 million the CMC must pay the Wanathawilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha. UPFA MP Arundika Fernando noted that there is a huge financial scam taking place as these are public funds. He notes if the present government cannot run this country they should leave without destroying the country further. The parliamentarian added that the law must be enforced on those who earned money from casinos and speak high of artificial intelligence. MP Fernando pointed out that garbage containers have been imported from foreign lands, and there is no one responsible for this. He questions; "Against such a backdrop, is this the solution for the garbage crisis in Colombo?"