The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will conduct an e-waste collection programme at 40 locations in the Western Province (WP) on Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29.

“In total 17 locations in the Colombo District, 13 locations in Gampaha and 10 in Kalutara will be maintained under the programme,” the Environment Ministry said.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the decision was taken due to the significant environmental damage as well as the serious impact on public health by the electrical and electronic wastes.
“About 95,000 metric tons of electrical and electronic waste is created in the country annually, and by 2021 it will increase to 121,000 metric tons,” he said.

He also emphasized the need for an information system to implement a national policy for the disposal of electronic and electronic waste, control over imported electronics and electronics, and launch a program for the control of new equipment.

"The general public prefers to keep expensive electric and electronic equipment in their homes, even if they are dilapidated after use. But some of the radioactive substances contained in these devices pose a risk of skin diseases, skin cancer, and several other conditions,”  he said.

The Minister requested that such inactive devices not be kept in houses but handed over to these places.
The Minister also said that large bodies of water are being polluted due to the discharge of batteries from inactive mobile phones. A disposable mobile phone battery has the potential to pollute 30,000 litres of water. (Chatuarnga Samarawickrama)