Clinical waste profiteering racket exposed

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Information has come to light of a profiteering racket where waste from hospitals and clinics are dumped along the streets and the latest incidents were reported from two separate locations today (September 04). Early this morning, a stock of clinical waste was discovered discarded on the Malwana-Dompe Road in Puhuruwila. According to locals, the clinical waste was dumped at around 12 this morning. A CCTV camera had captured the footage of a tipper truck transporting clinical waste. Used hospital syringes, needles, gloves, face-masks and saline tubes were among those discovered from the pile of clinical waste which was dumped along the road. A local noted that water stream in the close proximity to the location where clinical waste was dumped carried water all the way to Kelani river which most consume to quench their thirst while on the other side were paddy fields. Locals claim that two men in a motorbike had arrived on-site at 05 am this morning and attempted to set fire to the pile of waste. The same local showed the kerosene and petrol can which was beside the road which was apparently brought to set the waste on fire, however, they had fled the scene when another local who was passing by inquired of them of what were they upto. Police commenced an investigation after locals filed their concerns, and the tipper truck in question was discovered hidden in a property in Meethirigala, Dompe this afternoon. A father, son duo were the driver and the assistant of the relevant tipper and they were brought to the scene. The father divulged that the waste was taken from the Maligawatta Kidney Hospital under the instructions of their contractor. He did not respond to where the waste was usually taken. According to the inquiries of the News 1st reporter, the police noted that they would commence legal action tomorrow (September 03). The waste was loaded back onto the tipper truck and brought to the Dompe police division along with the suspects. Meanwhile, a similar pile of waste was discovered in Pubudugama close to the Wanathawilluwa 08th Mile Post. Our correspondent said the clinical waste was discovered dumped inside a private coconut estate. Over the recent weeks, News 1st highlighted how tonnes of garbage was brought to Sri Lanka from overseas under the guise of various business motives. However, no concrete legal action was taken against any of those responsible for those incidents. In such a backdrop, incidents are now being reported where clinical waste is simply dumped at various locations.