Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has proposed that the Ministry of Environment take the lead in producing an environmentally friendly paper bag as an alternative to polythene “sili sili” bags.
The recommendation was made during committee discussions on the proposal to impose a fee on sili sili bags when purchasing goods. Committee members questioned whether charging a fee would meaningfully reduce polythene use and asked officials to clarify who had decided the fee amount.
Officials stated that the current gazette does not mandate any fee for sili sili bags.
The Committee met on 10 and 12 November 2025 under the chairmanship of MP Hector Appuhamy to review the fiscal and physical progress of 2025 budget proposals of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources, and the Ministry of Environment.
Several annual and performance reports of related institutions were also reviewed and approved.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MPs Gnanamuththu Srineshan, Roshan Akmeemana, Chathuri Gangani, Susantha Kumara Nawarathna, Kitnan Selvaraj, Bhagya Sri Herath, Chithral Fernando, J.C. Alawathuwala, Sujeewa Senasinghe, and Upul Kithsiri attended the two-day meeting. (Newswire)
