Sri Lanka, a dumping ground for e-waste exports

by Carol Aloysius

Sri Lanka is increasingly becoming a dumping ground for used and re-cycled computers, batteries, mobile phones and spare parts for such items, Head of Toxicology and National Poisons Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Dr Waruna Gunathilake said.

“These rejects from other countries which make their way to our country, are a serious health hazard. They contain heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic and lead which are toxic to the human body and pollute the environment”, he told the Sunday Observer. “To these countries, Sri Lanka is just another developing country where they can dump their rejects.” “If one were to patronise any of the shops in the Pettah selling electronic items, one could buy a mobile phone for a few hundred rupees, spare parts for under Rs 200, and batteries for Rs 50.

Where can you buy a good quality battery or mobile phone for these ridiculously low prices, unless they are illegal substandard imports” he asked.

Toxins from batteries and mobile phones, could also cause ground water pollution as they reach out into the ground poisoning the water and environment.

“Electronic imports to this country must be regulated and their quality carefully monitored, as they pose a serious hazard to human, animal and plant life”, he said.

He said the Poisons Unit was at present collecting data on electronic waste in Sri Lanka and the Health Ministry had issued a directive to all regional directors calling upon them to get rid of their hospital e-waste safely.

“As a symbolic gesture our unit handed over the NHSL hospital waste to the Health Ministry during the Poisons Week recently”, Dr Waruna said, adding that it was the theme for this year’s National Poisons Week.”