The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday (22) demanded stern legal action against those involved in importing containers of hazardous waste to the country. Investigations are carried out at present on more than hundred containers of garbage which are stored at the CITC terminal of the Colombo Port.
JVP’s Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath at a press brief held at Battaramulla, pointed out that no room should be given for political intervention when bringing the culprits involved in the matter to justice.
MP Herath also demanded the government to amend or bring in new laws to prevent the importation of hazardous waste to the country.
Accordingly, Herath requested the government to adopt the regulations in the Basel Convention into the legal system of Sri Lanka.
Herath said that the importation of industrial and medical wastage to Sri Lanka is illegal as the country has signed the Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal in 1992. Herath pointed out that all the governments since 1992 have failed to adopt the regulations in the Basel Convention to the country’s law. “Thus, we have to hold all the governments responsible for this matter including the present government. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksha did create a favorable environment to import industrial garbage into this country, but the present government did nothing to stop it either. It was during the present government’s rule all these containers were brought into this country.” Herath observed.
MP Herath was also critical of the government for failing to apprehend the culprits who have imported more than 200 containers of wastage into the country since 2017. Commenting on the public statements made by a private company denying the allegation that they imported the said containers, MP Herath said that the documentation relating to the garbage importation process which is with the Sri Lanka Customs proves that the said company is responsible.
MP Herath also pointed out that Sri Lanka has now become a “Garbage Hub” quite contrary to what the present government promised the country would be under its rule.
Meanwhile, speaking on the present political situation in the country, MP Herath said that the next Presidential Election must be held before January 8, 2020. He observed that there is no legal provision to postpone the Presidential Election. “There should be no argument about this matter. It is very clear that, according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the term of the present President is five years. He took office on January 9, 2015. This means that the next Presidential Election must be held before January 8, 2020,” he further said.
Speaking on the investigations carried out by the Parliament Select Committee on the Easter Sunday carnage, MP Herath said that the President is duty bound to appear before the PSC as he is answerable to Parliament, especially on public security.
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