Press Release

On 18th May, all the relevant organizations gathered at the final Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting of ‘the Project for Formulation of Western Province Solid Waste Management Master Plan.', chaired by Ms. Kodippiliarachchi, Additional Secretary (Provincial Councils and Local Government), Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

At the JCC meeting, the followings were confirmed as the necessary actions to implement the Master Plan (MP).

• The MP is to be authorized by the Western Provincial Council as well as the Cabinet of Minister.
• "Coordination Committee on Waste Management in Western Province" is to be established to facilitate the implementation of infrastructure development projects in accordance with the MP and to oversee waste management performances in Western Province.

Ms. Kodippiliarachchi expressed her heartfelt appreciation to JICA to support solving waste management issues in Western Province. It is stated that the relevant Ministries and Western Province work together to support local authorities for the implementation of the MP. She also highlighted that the MP is a valuable and exemplary model that other provinces can follow.

Through this project, coordination structures and capacity for the MP development and implementation have been enhanced. JICA expects that such coordination structures and capacity will continuously play a vital role to achieve appropriate solid waste management in the Western Province.