Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Patali Champika Ranawaka invited the private sector to invest in waste disposal activities.

"For the first time in Sri Lanka, we received budget approval for the management of waste and litter in 2008. This has been a taxing issue in Sri Lanka for a considerable amount of time," the minister said speaking at CSR project launched by Mobitel recently.

"With the intention of eliminating waste by 2012, we encourage the private sector in Sri Lanka to support the government to accomplish this phenomenal task," Ranawaka said.

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, the National Mobile Service Provider, kept true to its promise "We Care. Always." by ensuring the health of the public of the residential area surrounding Welikada Prison located in Colombo-08.

The improper dumping of garbage in this area caused a health hazard and aesthetically damaged the area’s liveability due to unsightly muddle of refuse and pungent odours, observing the negative consequences this caused to society, such as the spread of diseases, Mobitel sprang to action to address this issue.

A comprehensive plan was developed in order to arrest this issue and work towards the betterment of society.

The initial step of the plan was the building a four meter high wall and two bins which will contain the refuse and the spread of odour followed by the placing of mobile trailers to collect solid waste.

Access to these collection points was also critical to the solution and was duly constructed by Mobitel.