December 31, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has unveiled a special initiative aimed at curbing the rising levels of waste accumulation in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital.
This new effort comes as the city experiences a surge in waste generation, exacerbated by the influx of visitors, particularly during the festive season.
CMC Commissioner Palitha Nanayakkara has made an urgent appeal to the public, urging both residents and tourists to play an active role in waste management by ensuring proper disposal and reducing refuse where possible.
Nanayakkara emphasised the critical need for individuals to be more conscious of their environmental responsibilities, particularly those who visit Colombo from neighbouring areas for work or leisure.
“Colombo’s residents must take an active part in maintaining the cleanliness of their environment, while visitors should be especially mindful of their waste disposal habits. By prioritising the use of recyclable materials and being more responsible in their actions, the general public can assist the Colombo Municipal Council in reducing the city’s waste burden,” Nanayakkara said.
He highlighted that, with the cooperation of visitors, the city’s waste management system could be significantly eased, especially in the areas most affected by large crowds.
It is estimated that approximately 600,000 people flock to Colombo daily, adding substantial pressure on the city’s waste disposal systems.
This influx of people, particularly during peak times such as the New Year’s celebrations, results in large volumes of refuse being generated in public spaces, including key landmarks like Galle Face Green.
Despite the challenges posed by the large crowds, Nanayakkara assured the public that the CMC has made arrangements to swiftly clean up after major events.
He confirmed that waste collected from the Galle Face area on the night of December 31 would be promptly cleared once the festivities end, with the area expected to be fully cleaned by the early hours of January 01.
