While attending an environment promotion project in Katubedda, Moratuwa, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka said, the government was able to earn Rs. 300 million from recycling garbage during the last six months. He said that compost fertiliser had been produced out of the garbage collected in Colombo city which had been a menace to the city.
The Minister said the compost produced there is sold as the Mihijaya Pohora as bulks for coconut cultivation and for other purposes as well.
The Minister added that the compost and recycled garbage would be used to fill the park area in Colombo Port City.
Minister Ranawaka said at Kerawalapitiya, plastic, polythene and glass, including bottles are separated and sold to the traders there.
He said these projects initiated by his Ministry would solve the garbage issue in Colombo and in the suburban cities for another eight decades.
He added that the first phase of the project would be completed at Aruwakkalu by November this year.
“However, this issue does not come within the ambit of his ministry but the Colombo Municipal Council. But on the request of President Maithripala Sirisena, the matter is handled by our ministry,” he said.
Minister Ranawaka further said that hence the garbage dump at Meethotamulla would be removed and the same place would be developed with Urban Development Authority funds.
He also said that following the removal of the garbage dump at Bloemendhal Road the same place would be used for a Sri Lanka Customs project.
“This is sustainable development,” Minister Ranawaka , he concluded.
