Truck carrying garbage to Aruwakkalu attacked; one arrested

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A truck that was transporting garbage into the Aruwakkalu garbage site was attacked early this morning (August 24) in Theladiya. Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the jeeps that were providing security to the lorries were also attacked. One suspect, a resident of Theladiya has been arrested over the incident. The suspect who was produced before the Puttalam Magistrate Court was remanded till the 28th of this month. However recently when the process of waste management in the Western Province was reviewed by the Committee on Public Accounts, the officers responsible had this to say. UPFA MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna questioned the officers on the progress of the Karadiyana garbage dump, to which the officer responded that garbage from seven local government bodies of the Karadiyana area has been accepted. Lasantha Alagiyawanna: What's happening to the factory which is under construction? Officer: The construction is underway and would end by November 2020. Lasantha Alagiyawanna: What about the construction at Kerawalapitiya? Officer: It's 75% complete. We can release it for commercial projects by March next year. Lasantha Alagiyawanna: What's the daily capacity it can accommodate? Officer: Around 700 MT Lasantha Alagiyawanna: Can it accommodate all of Colombo's Garbage? Officer: Yes. Lasantha Alagiyawanna: What about the garbage in Karadiyana? Officer: It can accommodate 600 MT Lasantha Alagiyawanna: Where does the garbage come from? Officer: There is a 2000 MT needed for the Western Province. As per our calculations, The Western Province will need to accommodate 2000 MT by 2033. Lasantha Alagiyawanna: How is garbage being moved to Aruwakkalu and the two other sites? Officer: 30% of the waste is ash. If 2000 MT goes in around 60 to 70 MT will have to be dumped in a land. Therefore the Aruwakkalu landfill will be required. Lasantha Alagiyawanna: You must make the general public aware of the factories in Muthurajawela and Karadiyana. You must tell them it would be completed by 2020. Then the amount of waste accepted can be increased. I think you can top 3000 MT. How much of garbage is collected daily in Colombo alone? Officer: Around 500 to 600 MT daily. https://youtu.be/RdnAX6k4vtg