by Norman Palihawadane

Bishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has said it will be counterproductive for a government to use police and military personnel to force the public to allow the dumping of garbage in their environs, he said.

The Cardinal said: “The government once tried to dump garbage in Ja-Ela. That was prevented due to public protests. We, too, took part in those protests. Now, the government tries to dump garbage at various places. People have taken to the roads protesting against the government’s move. The problem has been shifted to Muthurajawela marsh. One does not need to have expert knowledge to realise the damage garbage causes to a wetland. That would lead to the pollution of water resources, paving the way for another health hazard.

The government seems to have no solution to the problem. “I am not talking only for the people of Ja-Ela or Muthurajawela but for all Sri Lankans. The people voted for this government s it promised to deliver good governance.”

Courtesy:The Island