Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva yesterday said that garbage dumped in Bloemendhal Road, Colombo, could be converted into energy. He advised the Deputy Solicitor General Mrs. Bimba Tilakaratne to obtain instructions on this issue from the Ceylon Electricity Board.

The Court granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation application filed by Vasudeva Nanayakkara and sixteen other residents of Colombo, against the Colombo Municipal Council and several other respondents

The petitioners held that the garbage dumped at 417/A, Bloemendhal Street, emitted noxious gases.

The Court observed that the dump was insufficient in organic matter to be converted into compost. It could be converted into energy, instead.

The Colombo Municipal Council was ordered to take immediate steps to dispose of the dump.

The agreements entered into between the CMC and Burnes Company Private Limited and Burnes Technology Private Limited, for disposal of garbage were terminated. This order is with prospective effect only. Authorities are at liberty to make future arrangements, which should be done without commercial arrangements with other parties. All future arrangements are to be handled by the Colombo Municipal Council. Ravindranath Wijeratne was added on as a respondent and was directed to submit a report on conversion of garbage to energy.

The Deputy Solicitor General told Court that the alumulation of this dump could even pollute the water table and cause harm to the environment.

Notice was issued on the Colombo Municipal Council, the Central Environmental Authority and a few other respondents.

Further interim relief is to be considered on March 30, 2009.

M. A. Sumanthiran appeared for the petitioner.

Nihal Jayamanne PC appeared for Burns Company Pvt. Limited and Burns Technology Pvt. Limited Sunil Abeyratne appeared for the Chairman Burns Company Pvt. Limited.

The Deputy Solicitor General Ms. Bimba Tilakaratne appeared for the Central Environmental Authority and the Attorney General.

The Bench comprised, the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Justice P. A. Ratnayake and Justice S. I. Imam.