Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supported National Solid Waste Management Support Centre, Waste Management Authority and a number of relevant organizations to jointly develop Solid Waste Management Master Plan in Western Province (MP). On 4th July 2024, a ceremony was held to officially handover the equipment and machinery provided under the JICA-MP project at Karadiyana Compost Plant by Mr. Yamada Tetsuya, Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka office to Hon. Governor, Western Province, Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Gunathilake with special participation by H.E. Mr. Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka.
H.E. Mr. Kotaro Katsuki Acting Ambassador said that he was delighted to be participating at the occasion where Japan and Sri Lanka have yet again achieved concrete progress through the completion of the M/P. He also stated that he was glad that Japan’s assistance has been utilized to address the basic needs of the people thereby uplifting their lives. He thanked the Governor for his leadership to the Project and said that the Japanese government will work closely with JICA to uplift the lives of the citizens of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Tetsuya Yamada, Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka office stated that he was honored and privileged to attend the occasion and to be able to finally handover the equipment to Western Province in an official manner. He recalled that the Project commenced in 2019 and shortly thereafter Covid-19 pandemic began. He commended the untiring efforts of the people engaged in the waste management, who worked during the tough times. He reiterated that the waste management services never stopped despite the challenges due to the dedication of the waste management officials. He also said that a great milestone in the project was reached when the M/P received the Central Environment Authority’s approval for Strategic Environment Assessment report on 3rd July 2024. He also touched upon that the M/P is in line with the Government Policy on economic recovery, “Green Recovery” of president Ranil Wickremasinghe.
Hon. Governor, Marshal of the Air Force, Roshan Gunatilaka expressed his gratitude to Japan for coming forward to assist Sri Lanka at a time Sri Lanka needed a solution. He stated that waste management is a very important aspect for Sri Lanka since heavily cluttered cities like Colombo otherwise would face huge problems. He commended the Project stating that the country and the Western Province would immensely benefit from the Project.