The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has directed relevant officials to obtain approval of the Cabinet of Ministers and take steps to promptly implement the national-level program formulated to control water pollution around Diyawanna Lake and the Parliament premises.

The directive was issued when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, chaired by Committee Member and Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, convened in the Parliament to consider the final report of the task force appointed to investigate the discoloration of the Diyawanna Lake.

According to the report, the discharge of domestic wastewater, commercial waste and industrial waste into Diyawanna Lake and the water system around the Diyawanna Lake and the Parliament has been identified as the primary sources of pollution. 

Accordingly, a three-phase management plan covering short-, medium- and long-term measures has been proposed to address the issue.

The focus has been directed toward identifying and controlling points where waste is directly discharged into waterways, preventing solid waste from entering water streams, installing wastewater treatment systems, and continuously monitoring water quality.

Furthermore, the committee emphasized the need to improve sanitation facilities in low-income settlements, enforce the law against individuals and institutions illegally disposing of waste, and strengthen coordination among relevant government institutions.

The committee also stressed the importance of treating this program as a national priority, obtaining approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, and implementing it expeditiously.