News
16 local bodies directed to clean up waste, but enforcement weak
Last month the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) had issued directives against 16 local government institutions for improper waste management.
The authority’s deputy director general of waste management, engineer, Mr Upali Indrarathne, said the main complaint was the failure to collect garbage on time and that they dump waste everywhere.
“The 16 institutions have requested a reasonable period to correct themselves, while some of them are already acting on the directives,” he said.
According to Mr Indrarathne, the CEA does not have the power to take action against local government institutions.
“As an enforcing mechanism of the environment law and policies in the country our powers are only limited to issuing directives. The approval of the minister is required to take action against an institution.”
Environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara told the Sunday Times: “The authorities must come up with a waste management plan instead of just dumping them everywhere. The matter is only transferred from one place to another when garbage is collected from Colombo and dumped in Aruwakkalu or Kerawalapitiya.’’
According to Mr. Chamikara, 57 local government institutions are dumping in 57 places in island, in forest reserves, and wetlands.
He condemned the implementation by relevant authorities as only a show.
The country needs a waste management policy, instead, he said.
“We have beach cleanups in several parts of the country and other clean up programmes and end up dumping garbage in places like Aruwakkalu. Just as much as there is a policy for garbage collection, I cannot stress the importance of a waste management policy,” Mr. Chamikara said.
“The local government institutions failed to act on environment laws which resulted in an abrupt discontinuation of the Environmental Police,” a senior official of the Police Environment Division said.
The Environmental Police who have a supervisory role also has the responsibility to coordinate among relevant government authorities when implementing laws, as an enforcement mechanism.
The police aim to enforce laws on noise, water and air pollution, and to protect the shores and rivers from pollution.
“Through community policing we are hoping to receive the support of the public to continue the new initiative relating to environmental laws,” he said.
According to the official, discussions are underway on vesting more powers with the police to arrest individuals who produce sub-standard polythene, and against those who burn polythene outdoors. Currently this power is vested with the CEA.
Discussions are also being held to amend the penal code and the police ordinance.
Under existing laws, the penalty for illegal dumping of garbage is meagre, and has failed to evolve with time.
“When the fines are minor, the gravity of the issue is not felt. It is important that the laws are amended,” he said.
“The fundamental issue is that the enforcement mechanism in the country is weak to strictly implement existing laws on the environment,’’ environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena said.
However, he lauded the efforts taken to prioritise environmental issues by reactivating the environment unit in every police division.
He emphasised the need to train and recruit more to the environmental police.
“It’s important that the relevant officials stay away from politics and corruption when doing their job because these factors also can weaken the enforcement mechanism,” Mr. Gunawardena said.