The Central Environment Authority has called for tenders for the comprehensive management of the Bloemendhal garbage mountain under the Pilisaru National Solid Waste Management Program. Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka said they will initiate programs for solid waste management for each province and there will be no retreat in the face of political pressures that might stand in the way.

According to Ranawaka, the Environment Ministry launched project Pilisaru in 2008 on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's directions in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana to create a garbage free country by 2012.

Minister Ranawaka also made the observation that Rs. 5,600 million would be needed to address the country's garbage problem.

The Minister said: "The responsibility of managing municipal garbage lies with local governments although some parties have made it a habit to blame the Environment Ministry for pollution caused by poor solid waste management by the responsible parties."

The Minister said however the Ministry has undertaken the task of waste disposing and they will rehabilitate the dump sites at Kaduwela, Werahera, Karadiyana, Kalutara, and Pohohorawatta under the Pilisaru Waste Disposal program.

"We have also identified certain garbage disposal sites in the provinces," Ranawaka said. .

He stressed that the Ministry has undertaken the challenge of rehabilitating the Bloemendhal garbage mountain, he said.

CEA Director General Pasan Gunasena said since the time they called for tenders for the management of waste at Bloemendhal, three bidders have responded and they accept bids until the end of this month.

Courtesy: DailyNews

Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 08:37:06 LKT by SaNDun

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