The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chair, the answers are as follows:

¶ 02 01. The Athulathmudaligama/Barabinduwa land of about 1.5 acres is used for: composting degradable waste; holding non-degradable waste until sent for recycling; retaining waste until sent to the incineration facility and to the Kerawalapitiya power plant; and temporarily holding mixed municipal and street waste collected daily. Space is limited. Continuous spraying is carried out to control odour from degradable and mixed waste and for vector control.

¶ 03 02. Mixed waste that had accumulated near the entrance has now been removed, facilitating unobstructed daily travel. Two staff members have been assigned to supervise to ensure no recurrence.

¶ 04 03. The Barabinduwa land has been used for compost since about 1998. The cited community well under the community water supply system is a later construction, after around 2012. The distance between the well and the compost yard is about 70 metres. No complaints have been received regarding wastewater mixing with groundwater. Measures are being taken to construct proper drainage around the compost yard and to test water samples.

¶ 05 04. The matter has been placed before the Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha. The Waste Management Committee met on 2026.01.03 and decided to obtain about 5 acres from the Mathugama Dodangoda Watta LRC land to regularize waste management, and follow-up action is underway.

¶ 06 Additionally, Rs. 13 million has been provided under Provincial Council provisions for this purpose. The Governor has inspected the site. The Provincial Council is intervening to resolve this issue, though the subject lies with the Pradeshiya Sabha.

¶ 07 Of the Rs. 13 million, Rs. 2 million is allocated to provide water to the compost yard; Rs. 3 million to provide a huller machine; and Rs. 8 million for floor concreting, drainage, roofing and proper waste management.

¶ 08 Regarding the earlier-mentioned Maddegodara LRC land, steps have been taken to release it; the Divisional Secretary and the LRC have agreed. Earlier action was delayed due to political pressures, including objections by a then Opposition politician, now a member of the ruling group. Regardless, due to the hardship faced by residents, the Provincial Council is intervening, and we are ready to assist the local authority to fulfil its obligations.

¶ 09 Thank you.