Report requested on environmental impacts of Kerawalapitiya fire

2026-02-27 - 08:18

The Ministry of Environment has called for a report to investigate the recent fire at the Kerawalapitiya garbage dump and its environmental impacts. The fire which broke out at the Kerawalapitiya garbage dump – located on reclaimed land in the area – has reportedly caused significant disruption to the local ecosystem and public life. Acting Minister of Environment, Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody, highlighted the need to consider the natural buoyancy and biological processes that occur when waste is deposited in a swamp. In a letter to the Ministry secretary, he has requested a detailed report addressing several key areas : Methane Gas Emission and Control: The report will assess the release of methane gas trapped within the swamp, the risk of further fire spread, and potential impacts on the atmosphere and ozone layer. The investigation will also involve consultation with the National Ozone Unit and the Central Environmental Authority for technical support in mitigating these effects. Recycling programme: The investigation is to examine whether any administrative or technical shortcomings contributed to the incident, in the context of the government’s ongoing scientific waste recycling initiatives. Environmental impact: The report is to outline measures required to restore the damaged swamp ecosystem and recommend preventive steps to avoid similar incidents in the future. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the report should be submitted promptly and that the public should be kept informed of its findings and any subsequent remedial actions.