MEPA to set up new outfit to tackle waste management

By Ifham Nizam

The Maritime Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) is setting up an institute to handle waste management. MEPA Chairman Asela B. Rekawa, said the MEPA would act on the matter fast, adding that it would be done by 15 June, and an App would be shortly launched by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The MEPA chief also said that in 2018, the then President Maithripala Sirisena presented a Cabinet paper to set up the institution, but no action had been taken thereon.

The MEPA would also undertake to clean canals and rivers, countrywide, and that task would be performed by Ocean Front officers. Rekawa said.

Environment Minister Naseer Ahmed said that due to the haphazard disposal of waste in the coastal areas maritime pollution had taken a turn for the worse. He said that the MEPA, and other stakeholders, were taking action to mitigate the situation.

Minister Ahmed, Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Arundika Fernando, and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe, MEPA Chairman and MEPA General Manager Jagath Gunasekara participated in the latest discussion.

Some 24 government agencies, including relevant ministries for waste management related to these coastal areas, representing the security forces and their heads, also participated in this event.

Sri Lanka produces more than 8,800 tonnes of solid waste a day with only half being collected as municipal waste according to the Waste Management Division of the Central Environmental Authority.

Overall, some 85% of waste generated is estimated to be disposed inappropriately, mainly through indiscriminate open dumping and burning.The Western Province alone generates more than 59%, nearly 4,200 tonnes of solid waste with a high degree of biodegradability.