Mar 25, Colombo: President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that his government is developing the country without pawning her to any outside party. He said that some politicians are trying to take petty political advantages by disturbing the government's development initiatives.

The President made these comments speaking at the inauguration ceremony of “Pilisaru” (Green Clean) waste management program held at the presidential secretariat last evening.

Speaking further he said that one politician has recently plot to tarnish the image of the country by disturbing waste removing mechanism in Colombo. He said, those “pigs eating filth at the garbage pile at Bluemendal are much worthier than such politicians.”

Pilisaru waste management program is 5.6 billion rupees worth project that aims at freeing the country from garbage within 3 years period. The project is jointly undertaken by the Central Environment Authority and the provincial and local authorities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that out of 330 local councils, 178 councils had started solid waste management programs at some point of time. However, he said only 15 could implement the projects successfully. He said that his Ministry has introduced the Waste Bank concept, an innovative method to keep solid waste for money. Once the cooperative society system is strengthened, the waste bank system will be promoted via the cooperative societies, he added.

During the ceremony awards were given to officials of seven local authorities that excelled in the waste management projects.