COLOMBO: keeping its head above the waste! By Prof Ajith De Alwis - WNPS Monthly Lecture 17th August, 6pm at BMICH

Colombo, like all large urban centres, requires strategies to dispose of the vast amounts of solid waste generated daily by its citizens. The tragic loss of life and property that resulted from the disaster at Meethotamulla has prompted the Government to seek instant answers to this problem particularly as there are many other solid waste ‘mountains’ beginning to rear their ugly tops over the landscape. Current answer for Colombo had been with Muthurajawela. There is a recycling plan associated with the process and it is not intended as another dump though the very nature of the site raises questions.

Colombo, however, has a chance to be different; to execute methods of waste disposal that have been well researched, are efficient, and do not harm the environment. Colombo, and Sri Lanka, has the opportunity to raise its head as an example to others, rather than just allow its waste dumps to grow into towering monsters.

With this in mind, the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society has, as part of its monthly lecture series, decided to bring this important aspect of environmental protection to the public’s awareness, especially for those living in Colombo.