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Ella seeks solutions for garbage stench from fertiliser project
An organic fertiliser plant near the Ella town has become an eyesore for tourists, who have to put up with the stench as well, while hoteliers and eateries struggle with fly infestations.
Tourist guides said that the organic fertiliser plant is located at the junction towards the entry point to the city on the Kithal Ella Road. Visitors approaching from Ella-Wellawaya and Millagama roads are hit by the stench of garbage.
World-renowned Ella, Sri Lanka’s most famous hotspot for scenic views, has changed over the years, and conditions are not entirely pleasant for tourists.
Organic fertiliser plant: An unbearable stench and eye sore in picturesque Ella
Hoteliers said tourists are attracted to the area mostly due to its views, fresh air and good climate, but things have changed.
Malith De Silva, 33, a resident as well as the owner of a hotel in the town, lamented that both tourists and hoteliers are inconvenienced due to the garbage stench from the organic fertiliser plant.
In the mornings, he sprays a repellent and uses cinnamon oil as a disinfectant in his hotel.
He lights incense sticks inside the hotel.
“The tourists think we keep incense sticks lit as offerings to the gods, but this daily operation has become an additional cost as well,’’ he said.
Ella Traders Association President Sunil Premasiri, 69, said that the garbage is a long-standing issue which is staining the reputation of the area as a tourist hotspot.
“The area which is believed to have the most purified air, or “oxygen” attracts tourists, yet lately the foreign tourists who visit the area are now forced to cover their noses due to the stench from the plant.’’
Hotel operators said priority should be given to ensuring a pleasant stay for tourists.
Tourist hotel manager Adrian Lorance, 31, complained that swarms of flies infest his property. Flies land on plates and cutlery or fall into glasses of water left on tables, inconveniencing guests and employees.
Mr Lorance said the stench increases at night.
“There are times when tourists scold us and leave the hotel complaining of the smell,’’ he said.
Even residents complain that they are unable to host visitors in their homes.
Resident D.M. Dissanayake said authorities are indifferent to complaints.
An employee of the organic fertiliser plant, A.D. Kamal, 39, who had been working since 2014, admitted that it is difficult for them to continue. When the garbage was first brought to the location, Ella had not become a tourism hotspot, and hotels were few.
Mr Kamal said that the hotels in Ella, too, contribute three tractor loads of waste daily. Apart from that, garbage from the Kumbalwela, Demodara and Ballaketuwa areas is also brought to the fertiliser plant built on 10 perches.
“There is no space here at the fertiliser plant. All the plastic, glass, beer cans and degradable waste are dumped together. The waste needs to be segregated. “Non-degradable garbage is sold,” he said.
He explained that due to the congestion on the land, they are also forced to dump garbage at a nearby land belonging to the Water Board, and that too is insufficient.
Mr Kamal said the concrete pillars have cracked. Workers are unable to segregate garbage on rainy days.
Workers said they have only 19 people at the plant, including three drivers and a work inspector. Among the rest, seven are tasked with bringing garbage from other areas. The remaining eight remain at the plant.
Workers want more to be recruited and the project to be relocated to a suitable place.
Ella Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Malinda Dissanayake told the Sunday Times that the organic fertiliser project was set up in 2009 under a request by previous councillors. It had been built under the supervision of the Environment Ministry.
“The aim of the organic waste project was to have a waste-free Sri Lanka in 2012; however, currently Ella is a developed town which is frequented by tourists, therefore we are receiving repeated complaints regarding the issues caused by the fertiliser plant.
He too admits that the location is not right and the building is at risk of collapse. Mr Dissanayake said that he too believes that there are not enough workers at the plant.
He said the garbage from Ella, Bandarawela Pradeshiya Sabhas and Bandarawela municipality is planned to be taken to a land in the “Alimale” reserve, which is far from human habitation. The land is to be purchased, while the suggestion had been put to the Badulla District Development Committee for approval.
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