October 27, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has announced a renewed push to confront the mounting waste management crisis in the capital, with daily garbage output now reaching nearly 450 tonnes.
Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar has called for “innovative and sustainable” solutions to address what she described as one of the city’s most pressing environmental challenges.
In a recent statement, Mayor Balthazaar stressed the need to move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term waste management systems that are both efficient and environmentally responsible. At present, a majority of Colombo’s solid waste is transported to the Kerawalapitiya waste-to-energy facility—the only such plant currently operating in Sri Lanka.
However, the Mayor acknowledged that relying solely on this site is no longer sufficient to cope with the city’s growing waste volume.
The CMC, she said, is working closely with the Western Province Waste Management Authority (WMA) to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving collection, recycling, and disposal processes. The goal is to create a cohesive framework that can serve not only Colombo but also neighbouring urban areas struggling with similar waste challenges.
As part of these efforts, CMC officials recently carried out field visits to the Karadiyana waste treatment facility and the Kerawalapitiya waste park. The visits were intended to review current operations, identify inefficiencies, and explore opportunities for collaboration with private-sector partners and local communities.
Reflecting on the inspections, Mayor Balthazaar described the experience as “eye-opening,” noting that it underscored the urgency of encouraging behavioural change among residents. She urged the public to take greater responsibility for reducing household waste, adopting recycling practices, and avoiding the overuse of plastics.
