In a significant move to advance environmental sustainability, the governments of Sri Lanka and  Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) formalized their partnership today with the signing of the "Developing Sustainable Integrated Solid Waste Management Project in Uva and Northern Provinces" in Sri Lanka.

The event, held at the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Council and Local Government, was graced with the presence of Ms. Kim Myung Jin, Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka Office, Mr. Aloka Bandara, and Secretary to the MoPCLG. Mr. Samantha Bandara, Director General of the Department of External Resources, other dignitaries, and representatives from Government institutions.

Under the project, KOICA will invest USD 11 million to address the growing challenges of solid waste management in the Badulla and Vavuniya districts. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Sri Lankan officials, introduce best practices in solid waste management from Korea, and enhance the infrastructure of waste management.

Mr. Alokabandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration stated, “This partnership with KOICA will become a significant step in addressing Sri Lankan’s Solid Waste Management challenges, which may lead to longer-term Sustainable outcomes such as reducing the greenhouse gas emission, leading to behavioural change towards eco-friendly waste management practices”.

Further, Kim Miyung Jin, Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka, added, “This project exemplifies KOICA’s commitment to advance the global partnerships for environmental protection. We are confident that our bilateral ties with Sri Lanka will drive benefit Sri Lanka’s waste management sector to a more sustainable path”.

Over the next five years, KOICA plans to invest more than USD 65 million to strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies in Sri Lanka