EIA on Aruwakkalu revised

Rs 12 b project to transport garbage

By Ranil Wijayapala

A revised Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) is now being done to launch a Rs.12 billion project to transport garbage from the Meethotamulla dumping site to an engineering landfill in Aruwakkalu, Puttalam, to solve the long-standing issue, Secretary to the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development Nihal Rupasinghe said.

He said Rs.2 billion has already been allocated and the EIA report on the project is due to be completed in the next two to three months.

The Ministry of Defence and Urban Development was keen to provide a solution to the Methotamulla dumping site but objections were raised as it posed a threat to the Wilpattu National Park.

“We have now shifted the landfill in Aruwakkalu to a new spot two kilometres north of the previous location,” he said.

The Wild Life Department has also agreed to this location, he said.

The sites excavated by the Holcim Cement company will be used as an engineering landfill and not just another dumping site, he said.

Garbage collected at the Meethotamulla dumping site will be transported by rail to the Aruwakkalu engineering landfill.

The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Region Development has called for international proposals for solid waste management for the Karadiyana garbage dumping site.

“We called for international quotations two months ago closing on May 17. Up to now 119 local and foreign companies have sent proposals. An investor will be selected from this lot,” he said.