Nothing was done when gasping for breath ... earth-removing machines brought after 13 hours -- Meetotamulla story swept under the floor

Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage, convenor fighting against the Kolonnawa garbage dump since the year 2011 has informed the media that the government has initially taken steps to portray the damage caused to houses around Meetotamulla garbage dump as well as the loss of lives as a matter of minor significance and that no instructions even to bring an earth-removing machine to rescue victims gasping for breath were given and that if not, it would have been possible to minimise the loss of lives.

According to what he says, though certain elements try to grab political benefits, both governments

These are the ideas put across by him in this context: "From the year 2011, villagers of Meetotamulla have launched over 15 protests against dumping garbage here. Those days Mahinda Rajapaksa regime countered the situation with a tear gas attack. Then after that this Ranil -- Mathri regime engaged in the same activity of aiming tear gas and water canons. The police, the army who were sent those days have now been sent here to gather bits and pieces of corpses of children covered by the garbage dump. This garbage dump is a financial mine for politicians. The 600 million garbage tender of the Colombo Municipal Council was sold by those fellows elected by the vote and 200 million was shared among them. Our children ... members of our families have now gone under this garbage dump.

In the month of February in 2015 Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingha had a discussion with us and and made a pledge saying that this issue would be solved within 6 months. But it was not done. Therefore we say that we hold Ranil and Maithripala crowd that they are responsible for this crime involving deaths. These are murders for which they are responsible. Provincial leaders like Marrikkar and Duminda Silva grabbed political benefits. We appeal to administrators who kept on postponing things in view of various benefits ... to resign now.

This tragedy took place at 1.00 in the afternoon on the 14th. Simultaneously those who could escape ran for refuge from the place with just the clothing they had on their bodies. But other people and children came under destruction. Nobody was deployed to remove the debris until 2.00 in the night. Though about 500 from the Army and the Police came armed, nothing was done till orders were given. People of these victims of the town had taken shovels into their hands and were waiting to rescue their relatives. In the end as no action was forthcoming they got hold of the excavator by force which was meant to excavate the garbage dump and then began starting their job.

We speak out and tell those responsible for these murders not to come now to distribute water and to provide assistance ... our families have now been destroyed. Why come now to give assistance? Some media said that it is a minor collapse ... only 1 death. Parts of the bodies of the daughter, son-in-law and grand daughter of Mr. Keethiratna who fought against this garbage dump have now been exhumed. Not that this calamity will take place ... but it happened to the person who protested that this garbage dump be removed and engaged in displaying posters to that effect. In the same way some people who fought with us are already covered by the garbage dump.

Here, these are permanent residents. Some media elements carry on a thoroughly disgracing broadcast saying that these people are temporary settlers. The Provincial Secretary is supposed to have sent announcements asking to vacate the location. Nothing like that has happened. Even if it was said so ... can they leave the place like that? Not that we came near a garbage dump and started residing. It was that this garbage dump was brought and dumped here by force.