The a case study of a low-income settlement in Colombo, Sri Lanka Senevirathne, Delgollage creator Amin, A.T.M. Nurul Chairperson Zimmermann, Willi Examination Committee Lefebvre, Bernard G. Examination committee Regional Urban Development Office/United States Scholarship donor Agency for International Development, New Delhi, India Scholarship donor Canadian International Development Agency Scholarship donor Canadian Universities' Consortium Scholarship donor text series technical report th Bangkok Asian Institute of Technology 1998 continuing eng 123, [4] leaves The increasing quantity of solid waste is a serious environmental problem in the city of Colombo in general and in its low-income settlements in particular. The attitude of viewing waste collection, disposal and recycling as a largely technical issue has been counterproductive for waste management in the city of Colombo. Today, considerations, such as recognition of the role of community and the informal sector and their incorporation in the decision making process by using participatory mechanism as a development tool are influencing solid waste management. This is the paradigm shift in views and policies related to innovative waste management option for the future. At the above backdrop, this study focussed on some of the persisting dilemmas that arise with the changing approaches to waste management. This is illustrated by investigating solid waste management in a Colombo low-income community, where they have managed to overcome the problem of collection and disposal of waste with the involvement of one of the well-known NGOs in Sri Lanka. The methodology of the study involved collection of data and information through field surveys, interviews and round table discussions with the key stakeholders. The results of the findings are used to make the case that community based solid waste management system at local level have to be strengthened by formulating new policies. These policies should lead to increasing acceptance of the role of the community and the informal sector in management of solid wastes on their own with close cooperation with Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) The CMC's role at the local community level (low-income settlement) on waste management has to be changed from provider to facilitator, and promoter to supporter. A step towards this is to provide this basic urban service by involving the community as a key deciding factor of waste management. In addition to that the involvement of the informal sector, the private sector and NGOs are more important for the mobilization of various existing resources and services; With these ideas and the backup of the study's findings, a waste management system at the community level is proposed involving all stakeholders. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 Refuse and refuse disposal Sri Lanka Colombo Asian Institute of Technology. http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B13633 http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B13633 981130 20260818212930.0