The Special Sub-Committee on Western Province Waste Management held discussions this week on the current status of municipal solid waste management from households, streets, institutions, and businesses, as well as the challenges faced and potential solutions for the region.
The meeting, convened in Parliament on November 19, was attended by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Extended discussions focused on issues such as the shortage of designated and trained officers for waste management in local authorities, the lack of suitable land and infrastructure, and possible strategies to address these challenges.
Speaking at the session, Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasised the importance of raising public awareness on waste management at both community and school levels, highlighting initiatives like Praja Shakthi and Clean Sri Lanka as key programs to drive progress.
She also suggested introducing waste management as a vocational subject in collaboration with the vocational education sector to enhance public knowledge while creating career opportunities in the field.
The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara; MP and Colombo District Coordination Committee Chairman Lakshman Nipunarachchi; MP and Advisory Council Chairman to the Ministry of Public Administration Chandana Suriyaarachchi; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara; officials from the District Secretariat, Central Environmental Authority, and Urban Development Authority.
