President Maithripala Sirisena has given instructions to relevant officials to implement a programme to solve the issue of solid waste management in the country and further instructed to formulate necessary arrangements to vest the power with a Central Authority in that process.

He gave these instructions during a meeting held at the Disaster Management Ministry to review the progress of providing relief measures to the Meethotamulla victims, today (21), the President’s Media Division said.

The programme to provide houses for the displaced persons, whose houses were completely destroyed, was launched today under the guidance of the President, expediting the resettlement process for the people who are affected by the collapse of a section of the Meethotamulla garbage dump. 

The President also directed the Secretary to the President to take actions to call a continuous discussion with participation of the Prime Minister, Ministers and other officials till the solutions are found to the current issues. These discussions will be held before the Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premajayantha, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Faiszer Mustapha, Sagala Rathnayake, Vajira Abeywardena, A. H. M. Fawzie, Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Dewapriya, Commanders of Tri forces and the Inspector General of Police also participated in this meeting.