By Michelle Perera

The lack of hygiene in and maintenance of public lavatory facilities, including those in Government institutions, remains a pressing issue even in the commercial hub of Colombo, often leaving the public uncomfortable and highlighting the urgent need for improvements. 

The Clean Sri Lanka programme has identified this issue and has expressed the necessity of building new lavatory facilities and renovating existing facilities in both public spaces and Government institutions for the public’s ease. 

Public views on lavatory facilities 

The Sunday Morning spoke with several individuals to understand their challenges in accessing these facilities and the changes they hope to see.

“The new office for passport and National Identity Card (NIC) issuance is situated in the Suhurupaya building. This is a recently constructed facility and I believe the lavatory amenities are reasonably adequate. 

“A private company has been awarded the cleaning contract and as per the agreement, the cleaning personnel are tasked with maintaining these facilities more than three times daily during office hours. Furthermore, most visitors to this building tend to maintain cleanliness in these areas.

“In contrast, the Pettah Bus Stand and Fort Railway Station present a different scenario. These locations are frequented by the general public at all hours, resulting in constant activity. I have observed that a regular cleaning schedule is not implemented in these facilities.

“As we aim to promote tourism, it is important to note that many tourists utilise public transportation, such as trains and buses. This underscores the necessity for a high standard of sanitary services in these areas. Therefore, I recommend that an immediate and regular cleaning process is established for these locations.”

Ramya Lalanie

“People often suppress their basic needs, such as thirst, because there are no proper public facilities. Public toilets should be cleaned and maintained to ensure people feel safe and comfortable wherever they go in Sri Lanka, not just in branded or luxury malls and hotels.”

Shaivy Pathirage

“Sri Lanka is a tourist destination, and public spaces, especially near Fort Railway Station, often host tourists. This makes it essential to establish clean and functional sanitary facilities. 

“At the Pettah Bus Stand, basic necessities like soap are often unavailable – a problem I noticed years ago, which likely persists. Regular cleaning and restocking are crucial in these high-traffic areas.”

Domith Jayawardena

“The washrooms at the office for passport and NIC issuance are newly built and seem alright for public use. However, the Fort Railway Station lavatories are unclean, unsanitary, and have a pungent smell, making them highly uncomfortable to use. In the past, some doors were broken, and while they were eventually repaired after complaints, the commodes remain broken and unusable.

“I hope the Clean Sri Lanka programme addresses these issues and renovates these facilities soon. At the same time, I believe it is the public’s responsibility to use these facilities thoughtfully, considering the next person who will use them.”

Susanthi Perera

Existing public lavatory facilities around Colombo

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Colombo Municipal Council Deputy Municipal Commissioner – Engineering Services A.D.S. Rohana highlighted the existing public lavatory facilities across Colombo, noting that 16 public lavatories were located along roadsides and remained open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additional facilities are available in key public areas, such as the Viharamahadevi Park. 

Rohana emphasised that these facilities were cleaned throughout the day as needed and that they had received public appreciation for their maintenance.

He further highlighted the management of additional washrooms specifically for community housing residents. These facilities are maintained with dedicated cleaning staff, but issues have arisen regarding community responsibility, such as failing to pay water bills or keeping the toilets clean for the next user. He therefore stressed the importance of conserving water and maintaining hygiene.

Areas lacking adequate facilities

Near Independence Square, the only public lavatory available is near the Planetarium. Rohana identified a pressing need for facilities closer to Independence Square itself, but noted the absence of available land for construction. Similarly, he pointed out the lack of public lavatories near the Narahenpita Junction, a busy area due to the presence of the Labour Secretariat.

Rohana revealed that several high-traffic locations in Colombo had been identified as requiring new public lavatories. However, land availability remains a significant challenge. 

He emphasised that constructing facilities in distant or less-frequented areas would be impractical, as public toilets needed to be accessible in high-usage zones to serve their intended purpose effectively.

Public lavatory facilities to be upgraded 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Chaminda Jayasuriya, a member of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, emphasised that upgrading public lavatory facilities in Government institutions and public spaces was a primary focus of the initiative. He stated that their efforts would commence immediately after the scheduled awareness programmes concluded on 20 January.

He revealed that architects from the Urban Development Authority (UDA) were currently designing new facilities, which are expected to take approximately one to two months to construct. He further disclosed that they would receive a grant from Japan to support this initiative. 

These facilities will meet specific standards and be maintained continuously. Jayasuriya noted that municipal councils, local authorities, relevant departments such as the Railways Department, and authorities in charge of bus stands would all collaborate for this effort. 

He also pointed out the inadequacy of lavatory facilities at the Pettah Bus Stand, noting that new facilities were urgently needed to cater to the large number of users. 

Public accessibility and tourist-friendly facilities

Jayasuriya expressed concerns about the practice of charging the public to access lavatories, arguing that it was unfair to impose additional fees when public taxes were already allocated for maintaining these facilities. He proposed establishing a system that allowed free access to public lavatories, ensuring equitable use for everyone.

Another notable initiative involves the establishment of dry toilets in key tourism regions, both existing and developing, to cater specifically to tourists. This project, supported by a grant from Japan, aims to boost the standard of facilities in these areas.

Public responsibility and participation

Jayasuriya emphasised the importance of public responsibility in maintaining cleanliness. He noted that users should leave facilities clean for the next person, fostering a sense of shared accountability. 

He also praised the public’s active participation in the Clean Sri Lanka programme, including financial donations and physical involvement for its initiatives.