Ecological sanitation compost toilets in Sri Lanka: an appropriate solution?

Ecosan toilets were introduced to Sri Lanka in 2001. There is an increasing interest in ecosan technologies with NGOs and INGOs and Ministries (Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Health). In 2005/6 approximately 50 ecosan toilets were constructed and several upcoming projects include ecosan technologies. However, there is no sound ecosan strategy existing yet. The efforts of the different stakeholders have to be bundled and streamlined. Misconceptions have to be clarified and the limited experiences in Sri Lanka discussed. To facilitate the sustainable introduction of ecosan, UNICEF contracted an international consultant to evaluate the appropriateness of ecological sanitation in relation to the socio-cultural, economic and financial context of Sri Lanka. Preliminary findings are presented in this paper.