Waste problem remains unsolved due to garbage mafia - JVP

The failure to dump waste in a remote area and recycle it came due to the influence of politicians who make financial gains from the garbage mafia in Colombo, a leftist party parliamentarian said Thursday.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Propaganda Secretary, Vijitha Herath, while speaking to reporters during a media gathering at Battaramulla said neither the United National Party (UNP) nor the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) wanted to come up with a solid solution to resolve the garbage issue.

“When one place is full, they dumped waste in another location,” he said.

Herath went on to say certain persons including politicians and officials prevent the authorities from recycling waste since if happened these individuals are at risk of losing the income they derived from the mafia.

He pointed out the JVP was the only party to oppose the suggestion to dump waste in Meethotamulla when it was proposed in 2008.

“Due to legal concerns, dumping waste in Bloemendhal was halted. Then Meethotamulla was suggested,” he added.

Herath also accused the Government of attempting to dump waste at a site in Ja-ela which he cites as yet another ‘bandage solution’.

He added the Government led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa could not find a lasting solution for the issue as well.

“The first respondents of this case should be the Government led by Rajapaksas,” he charged.

He also stressed the program to collect classified garbage should be implemented or the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle solution should be launched to resolve the issue.