The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will conduct an awareness programme for Colombo’s ‘kotthu roti’ makers on hygiene and cleanliness, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said.

At a ceremony organized by the CMC Public Health Department where certificates were distributed to food vendors of Galle Face Green on Thursday he said what was needed was not to penalize the restaurants which were unhygienic but to ensure that the customers who visit eating houses get a healthy meal prepared in a an hygienic and clean environment instead of taking legal action against the offenders.

He said last year the CMC filed action against 500 restaurants in the city under the Food Act and the Municipal Ordinance.

Dr. Kariyawasam said there were several five-star hotels among the 500 restaurants, which were penalized. He said Singapore and Malaysia should be considered as role models for Sri Lanka as restaurants in these countries were of a high standard.

Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil said venders in the City had a large market for their food with the tourism boom and they should be in a position to exploit it by providing hygienic food even to foreigners. He said the venders should not touch the food with their hands but should use gloves or cutlery instead. “These simple changes will help the venders to improve their businesses tremendously,” Mr. Muzammil said.

Deputy Mayor Titus Perera and several other CMC officials participated in the ceremony.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka