Gamini Lokuge and crowd turn back garbage trucks because of environmental pollution

In the face of the issue that has sprung up in relation to Meetotamulla garbage dump, the government has fallen into a helpless state with the predicament of where to dispose the garbage
staring them in the face.

On the court order issued the garbage trucks were directed to the relevant locations. However, after only a part of it was disposed, politician Gamini Lokuge and the crowd involved were engaged in a protest not allowing the balance garbage to be disposed in like manner and had sent back those trucks. 

Because of the state of the sudden disaster, disposal of garbage to Meetotamulla was prohibited and Kesbewa Magistrate has taken steps to secure a court order to release garbage to Karadiyana Garbage Dump day-before-yesterday (18). As a result, collecting garbage to Karadiyana commenced yesterday (19); but because of a protest launched by a procession starting from Werahera Gangarama Vihara to Karadiyana Garbage Yard with thousands participating in a march the process of dumping garbage had come to a standstill temporarily. For the protest concerned, Colombo District MP Gamini Lokuge, Provincial Council Member Lakshman Nipunaarachchi, former Mayor of Boralesgomuwa, Aruna Priyashantha together with people in the area and environmental organisations had joined hands in this protest. On that occasion to maintain law and order officers-in-charge of Boralesgomuwa and Piliyandala Police Stations were present at the location. 

Protesters were seen carrying placards such as 'Give us the right to breathe' and 'Don't make Karadiyana another Meetotamulla'. On this emergency situation that has sprung up, though garbage was disposed of in this manner, their opinion was that because of the detriment caused to Karadiyana environment they were not prepared to accept disposal of garbage even as an assistance. According to court order a quantity of about 222 metric tons were permitted to be released there but as a result of the tense situation that flared up the project manager of Karadiyana Garbage Yard Mr. Dhanuka Wijeyratna mentioned that releasing garbage there was temporarily stopped.