A total of 260 tonnes of waste was collected from Kandy during the 10 days of the annual Esala Perahera, including 32 tonnes of polythene discarded along the streets, according to the Solid Waste Management Unit of the Kandy Municipal Council.
The waste collected during the 10-day period included 30 tonnes of elephant dung, 24 tonnes of charcoal, 33 tonnes of food waste and 35 tonnes of mixed waste.
In addition, municipal workers removed around 105 tonnes of plant material left over from jackfruit, kithul and other trees brought to feed the elephants participating in the Perahera.
Kandy Municipal Commissioner Indika Abeysinghe said 155 tonnes of waste had been collected during the first seven days of the Perahera, while another 105 tonnes had to be removed during the final three days alone.
She said municipal workers worked throughout the night after the conclusion of the Perahera each day to clean the city and restore it to its previous condition.
Abeysinghe also commended the municipal workers for their day-and-night efforts and contribution towards the successful conduct of the Kandy Esala Perahera.
