The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I am answering on behalf of the Minister of Environment.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Waste disposal is carried out in an orderly manner.

¶ 03 (ii) At the National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, waste generated is managed under proper, environmentally friendly methods, actively implementing segregation, recycling, and safe disposal as follows:

¶ 04 1. Management of animal carcass waste Animal carcasses generated in the zoo are not directly disposed of; they are used to produce organic fertilizer. In particular, elephant dung and bedding materials/mulch are processed and used for agricultural activities at the Gonapola and Kahapola farms.

¶ 05 2. Management of leftover animal feed Leftover feed, being organic, is used to produce compost. Meat-based waste (such as bone offcuts) is safely incinerated in the on-site incinerator.

¶ 06 Additionally, a pilot project will be implemented using a modern biotechnological method with Black Soldier Fly larvae to efficiently convert organic waste into compost.

¶ 07 3. Management of polythene-related waste Polythene waste generated at the zoo is segregated, collected, and sent to a waste management center.

¶ 08 4. Plastics, glass, and cardboard waste These materials are separated, collected, and handed over to relevant collection and recycling centers.

¶ 09 5. Disposal to Karadiyana landfill Zoo garbage is sent to the Karadiyana landfill managed by the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council under a contract that is periodically renewed and maintained.

¶ 10 (ii) Yes. For visitors’ purchased food, the main restaurant and facility shops enable convenient on-site dining. In addition: - Around seven snack and beverage shops are established. - Summer huts are provided for those who bring their own food, along with drinking water and sanitation facilities. - Large groups can dine without disturbance at Elephant Arena 1 and 2. - Other large-capacity areas include near Swan Lake, in front of the Deer Park, the Bengal Tiger area, and the Sea Lion arena. Some zones under development are temporarily closed; all other areas are open year-round.

¶ 11 (iii) Not applicable. New structures are not necessary; however, repairs and development are undertaken annually and as needed. Renovation is carried out under annual budgetary allocations.

¶ 12 (iv) Monthly income and recurrent expenditure (recent figures)

¶ 13 2025 - July: Income Rs. 29,566,593.34 | Expenditure Rs. 24,015,541.27 - August: Rs. 57,903,751.73 | Rs. 31,562,320.95 - September: Rs. 33,451,319.44 | Rs. 38,241,033.48 - October: Rs. 18,619,536.94 | Rs. 34,022,870.21 - November: Rs. 26,325,815.25 | Rs. 35,555,085.42 - December: Rs. 20,444,761.88 | Rs. 66,400,742.78

¶ 14 2026 - January: Rs. 23,182,169.85 | Rs. 18,825,497.51 - February: Rs. 20,633,180.35 | Rs. 41,659,867.68 - March: Rs. 19,567,025.41 | Rs. 30,192,671.21

¶ 15 (These figures follow earlier months: January–June 2025 Income Rs. 22,660,785.12; 18,928,710.09; 19,366,766.49; 20,974,847.39; 15,778,302.20; 19,957,946.59 and Expenditure Rs. 20,704,755.75; 20,784,523.75; 23,123,675.65; 26,893,422.40; 74,708,079.17; 35,611,684.76.)

¶ 16 (v) Projects planned for 2026 under the Department of National Zoological Gardens:

¶ 17 Action Plan 2026 – Zoo Development and Welfare Fund (Allocation Rs. 218 Mn) - Development of Dehiwala Zoological Gardens: - Removal of hazardous wires (continuation of underground cabling project) – including Phase 2 design - Road No. 07 – Phase 02 - Renovation of staff quarters - CCTV camera system - Improvements to hippopotamus treatment plant - Animal enclosure, staff, and visitor facility developments (including 2025 payments) - Aquarium development – structural assessment and designing - Area No. 05 development – designing - Quarry area development – cleanup, embankment repair, and surroundings – designing - Retaining wall construction for keeper access near quarry area - Service area development – designing - Animal Quarantine Centre at Gonapola – designing - Hydrotherapy Unit – designing - Repair works of boundary wall

¶ 18 Action Plan 2026 – Consolidated Fund (Allocation Rs. 70 Mn) - Buildings and structures (repairs/renovations) - Renovation of animal enclosures and visitor facilities - Small-scale annual repairs and development - New constructions (including Toilet Complex – continuation) - Land and land improvements: - Kahapola Farm land development - Construction of animal holding area at Gonapola - Infrastructure development: - Road No. 07 repair – Phase 01 - Worker facility development

¶ 19 (b) Not applicable.