• 58 projects to manage solid waste; safe-zone settlements prioritised

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils (PC), and Local Government (LG) has initiated a three-year plan to resolve the garbage crisis in the country, which also aims to prevent future disasters by addressing unregulated urban development and promoting safe settlement practices.

Deputy Minister of Public Administration, PCs, and LG, Prabha Ruwan Senerath, speaking to The Daily Morning, detailed the initiative. "We have made a plan for the next three years to resolve the garbage problem in the country. A total of 58 projects have been initiated this year (2025) to manage solid waste, and they will be continued."

He explained the programme, begun as a cluster programme, is already underway. "The Ministry has set a definitive goal of reducing solid waste by 30% by the end of 2029. This target is not challenged by the recent floods and the adverse infrastructure damages."

The announcement comes as the Government faces public questioning over its disaster preparedness and long-term preventive measures, particularly concerning waste management and regional-level planning.