By Norman Palihawadane
Health Minister and Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne yesterday said that the government had the power to dump garbage at any location found suitable for the purpose and none could oppose that action.
Commenting on Colombo Bishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s warning to the government not to use police and security forces against the people protesting against government dumping garbage at their residential areas, the Minister said: “None could protest against this move by way of a solution to the garbage crisis in the capital. It is illegal. The government decision has been backed by the courts, too. The government has decided to dispose garbage collected in the city at several selected places. We have selected those places after studying the suitability of the locations for the purpose. Now, those with vested interests and working for their political survival cannot come and tell us that those places are not suitable.
Cardinal Ranjith on Monday pointed out that it would be counterproductive for a government to use police and military personnel to force the public to allow the dumping of garbage in their environs.
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 Parish Priest of Bopitiya Fr. Ananda Vithane said human body parts disposed from hospital mortuaries had been dumped in the Nuhape area in Muthurajawela along with Colombo garbage.
The Rev Fr said the authorities should adopt a more environmental friendly method in the disposal of garbage as during rains the toxic substances would get washed away to the sea endangering the aquatic resources as well.
Courtesy:The Island