Beruwala: abandoned waste, an ecological and health hazard

For three years, waste has been accumulating in the municipality of the Southern Province, causing a “strong and unpleasant odor.” Residents are calling for a “permanent and sustainable” solution, while the government and opposition trade accusations. Last week, three newborns in the area were hospitalized for respiratory problems, including a six-month-old baby in serious condition.

​Colombo (AsiaNews) - A huge pile of waste that has been accumulating in the urban area of Beruwala over the last three years represents “a serious danger to health and the environment.”

This is what the inhabitants of the city in the Southern Province, in the south-west of the island, are complaining about, saying that “a strong and unpleasant odor” comes from the area “day and night.” And since the waste has been dumped on one side of the Urban Council headquarters itself, they continue, both the public who go to the Council to use its services and the Council's employees are forced to endure the stench.

Hence the appeal to the authorities to remove the waste and study a “permanent and sustainable” solution for waste management.

Siththy Mohammed, Nauffer Athas, and Ajaz Sherifdden, residents of the area affected by the environmental and health emergency, tell AsiaNews that “the smell emanating from the landfill is unbearable and during the rainy season it is even worse.” Children under the age of 12, they add, "often get sick. Doctors have diagnosed them with respiratory problems caused by chemicals leaking from the waste. Most of the elderly people living in the area also often fall ill with respiratory problems.“

”Last week, three newborns from adjacent homes were admitted to Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo, and the condition of a six-month-old baby is serious," they continue in their complaint. Similarly, two elderly residents have also been hospitalized. We have reported to the authorities that the problem is serious and that many other residents could soon face serious health problems if the landfill is not cleaned up."

According to the testimonies of those living in the area, the liquid waste leaking from the landfill "is conveyed into a canal in front of it. They claim that this polluted water ends up flowing into the fishing port of Beruwala, raising concerns about marine pollution and the possible impact on the livelihoods of fishermen. Although this is a long-standing problem, those interviewed conclude that it has not been adequately addressed, despite repeated complaints to the relevant authorities.

The waste problem has become a serious concern and discussions are underway to find a solution. Although local authorities are aware of the situation and are considering measures to remove the accumulated waste and prevent future dumping on the premises, no concrete action has been taken so far. Hence the renewed request by residents to the relevant authorities, including the Central Environment Agency, for immediate action to safeguard public health and protect the surrounding ecosystem.

On December 25 last year, 20 councilors representing the opposition National People's Power (NPP) party walked out of the Beruwala Pradeshiya Sabha due to a heated discussion on the waste issue. The controversy was sparked by statements made by the NPP councilor for the Kalawila district in Beruwala, who claimed that the district's landfill was not being managed properly. This accusation sparked a heated debate between representatives of the opposition and members of the ruling Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party.

According to environmentalists Chaminda Senanayaka and Mahesh Rajapaksha, “on May 10, 2024, a special debate was held in Parliament to resolve the serious health problem caused by the dumping of waste collected in the jurisdiction of the Beruwala Municipal Council.”

The debate specifically concerned a plot of land in the village of Waththimirajapura, based on a request submitted by Sjb MP Imtiaz Bakeer Markar to former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

During the debate, environmentalists say, the former head of government instructed the officials responsible to “go to the Beruwala area to check and immediately dispose of the waste collected in a suitable place and clean up the area.” “Proposals have been made to start a regular waste recycling project using the land currently used for waste disposal. However, to date,” they conclude disconsolately and with concern, “the issue has not been adequately resolved.”