The Hon. Ajith Gihan

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, my first supplementary to the Hon. Deputy Minister is this:

¶ 02 There was a scheduled time to complete the project, which you have clarified. However, due to unilateral decisions taken at the time by then Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Colombo’s waste was taken to the Aruwakkalu landfill in Puttalam District. This led to significant public opposition in Puttalam. As the saying goes, “Milk for Colombo, cucumbers for us.” Another saying arose in Puttalam: “Colombo’s garbage is not for Puttalam,” and protests ensued. Why? Because of unilateral decisions by the then Minister. Many reasons contributed to this opposition. Waste was transported along main roads in lorries, contrary to the project report which specified that waste should be transported in sealed containers on rail to the landfill. Instead, leachate was spilt along the roads causing opposition. Moreover, waste was dumped before completing the treatment plant, causing methane to develop and an explosion occurred.