Government has been looking for an environmentally acceptable and economically feasible solution for the disposal of Municipal Solid Waste in the Metro Colombo Region.

The current collection of Solid Waste in the city of Colombo is about 700 MT per day and with the other urbanized local authorities in the Metro Colombo Region, the collection is about 1200 MT per day.

It is proposed to construct a Sanitary Land Fill in Aruakkalu in the Puttalam District and to transport Solid Waste by train from a Transfer Station at Meethotamulla. The proposed Sanitary Land Fill will be constructed in keeping with international standards.

The Railway Department has already completed the design work of rail transportation system and the preparation of specifications for locomotives and rolling stocks. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Project has also been completed.

The total cost of the Project is US $107 million (SLR 14017 million). The proposal made by H.E. the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence and Urban Development, to proceed with the related activities, was approved by the Cabinet.