Clean-up to sweep up destructive habits

The environmental police has deployed 1,500 people islandwide this week in a stepped up campaign to clean up the main towns, beaches and roads.

Environmental protection range DIG Nimal Perera, told the Sunday Times that, they are working together with the local government authorities and closely monitoring the private companies contracted for cleaning.

“Our main aim is to raise awareness among people about proper garbage disposal and beautifying the environment by keeping it clean,” he said.

DIG Perera added that, the public can now inform the police if they see the environment being polluted or garbage being scattered.

Tourist Police Division Director SSP Oshan Hewawitharana said that, shramadana campaigns have been organised in almost all of the tourist destinations.

“Cleanliness at tourist destinations was an aspect which we paid attention to, but now it has become a compulsory duty to monitor the cleanliness of these places,” he said.

SSP Hewawitharana is hopeful that this positive initiative will instil the habit in the locals to help maintain tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, police environmental units began creating public awareness regarding proper garbage disposal and encouraging people to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

A beach clean up has been organised by the Panadura Police to increase awareness of proper garbage disposal.

Moreover, street vendors on pavements will be advised and made aware of the laws against obstructing movement on the pavement by putting up shops.

A police official said that the municipal council will be advised to relocate the vendors.

“Furthermore, apart from taking down posters and banners on the streets the municipal council, telecom and the electricity board will get together and clear up all posters put up on lamp posts,” he said.

The environmental police of Kandy will be organising a shramadana campaign to clean the city, engaging residents.

Moreover, 11 police officers have been deployed to make the public aware of proper garbage disposal and simultaneously conduct a dengue awareness campaign.

Puttalam environmental police will be monitoring the environmental clean up done by individuals appointed by the local government authorities on a daily basis.

“We will be organising shramadana programmes more often and involve the area residents,” a senior official said.