The Colombo office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the solid waste management workers, currently engaged in work amidst Covid-19 pandemic, a press release issued by JICA said yesterday.

The Officials of the JICA Sri Lanka Office, handed over PPEs to Western Province at the Western Provincial Council with strict adherence to health guidelines and the COVID-19 preventive measures.

The grant included 634 pairs of boots, 31,700 masks, 430 Personal Protective Kits, hand sanitisers and disinfectants to be used to protect solid waste management workers in 49 local authorities engaged in work during Covid-19. This is JICA’s second provision of the PPE for continuous and stable waste management, especially in consideration of the prevailing situation after April.

Over the years, JICA has been extending technical support for solid waste management in Sri Lanka. Currently, under the ‘Project for Formulation of Western Province Solid Waste Management Master Plan’, JICA is working with National Solid Waste Management Support Centre in State Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government and Waste Management Authority in the Western Province, relevant government agencies and local authorities, to formulate a long-term strategic plan for solid waste management in the Province. The Project is also helping Business Continuity Plan (BCP) of local authorities under emergency situations. This grant will enable local authorities to continue their essential work during the pandemic.

Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka Office Yamada Tetsuya, handed over PPEs to, Governor of the Western Province Marshal of the Air Force(retd) Roshan Goonetileke.

Yamada said that solid waste management is an essential service for the community. Therefore, it is vital to pay attention towards the personal hygiene of the solid waste management workers as well as assisting them in maintaining a healthy work environment to protect themselves and the entire community. JICA will work with various stakeholders and partners to overcome the pandemic and its various negative effects as quickly as possible.