The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has marked World Oceans Day 2026 with a powerful awareness campaign titled “A Letter to You, From the Ocean”, urging Sri Lankans to rethink their relationship with the sea and adopt sustainable habits to protect marine ecosystems.

In the message, written as if the ocean itself were speaking, the campaign highlights the growing threats of plastic pollution, coral reef decline, and rising sea temperatures. 

“I want to live for thousands of more years, just for you. But I need your help,” the ocean’s letter reads, reminding the public that oceans provide more than half of the oxygen humans breathe.

The CEA stressed that beaches across Sri Lanka, from Hikkaduwa to Trincomalee, are increasingly burdened by plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers left behind by visitors, choking marine life and damaging coral reefs. 

The campaign calls on citizens to “not just leave footprints, but leave beaches cleaner than they found them.”

The message underscores the urgency of reimagining human‑ocean relations, while it also urges communities to let go of destructive habits and embrace bold new ways of living in harmony with the ocean.

World Oceans Day 2026 is observed globally under the theme “Reimagine: Beyond the World We Know, A New Relationship with Ocean.” 

The CEA’s initiative seeks to inspire Sri Lankans to protect their coastal heritage and ensure the ocean continues to thrive for generations to come. (Newswire)

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The Central Environment Authority (CEA) says the new directive of the Consumer Affairs Authority, making the SLS Product Certification Mark on water bottles mandatory, is effective from April 1, 2026. 

Issuing a notice, the CEA said the move has been taken to ensure public safety, particularly for children. 

According to the CEA, the products that must carry the SLS certification mark are as follows;

• Plastic bottles suitable for repeated use in carrying liquid beverages must comply with SLS 1616 specifications.
• Feeding bottles made of plastic materials for infants must comply with SLS 1306 specifications.

The CEA further pointed out that under Section 12(1) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003:

• Locally manufactured bottles must carry the SLS certification mark.
• Imported bottles must be approved by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

The CEA also warned that the sale, manufacture, packaging, transportation, storage, import, distribution, or display of non-compliant bottles is strictly prohibited. 

Earlier in October, the Consumer Affairs Authority issued a Gazette notification on regulating locally manufactured reusable plastic bottles for carrying drinkable liquids and feeding bottles made of Polymer Materials, requiring them to carry the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. (Newswire)

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Air quality in several areas has been recorded as moderate, apart from Colombo, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) reported. 

As of 06.00 am today, the air quality index remained between 96 and 106 in Colombo.

The air quality index is expected to remain between 44 and 106 in other areas today.

Compared to the other areas, the air quality in Nuwara Eliya has returned to normal. (Newswire)

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The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) says air quality is expected to improve further in several areas of Sri Lanka. 

Issuing a statement, the CEA said the air quality index remained between 44 and 106 as of 06.00 am today. 

However, the air quality in Colombo has dropped slightly with the index remaining between 98-106.

The CEA states air quality in other areas is moderate, while air quality in Nuwara Eliya has returned to normal. (Newswire)

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The Central Environment Authority (CEA) warns that air quality in certain areas may worsen today due to the effects of cyclone “FENGAL” and the entry of air pollutants from the North and Transboundary air pollution caused by adverse weather.

The CEA said as such, the air quality index may remain between 86 and 120 in several areas throughout the day. 

The Colombo, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Kandy, Kegalle, Galle, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Badulla, Trincomalee, Mullaitivi, Batticaloa, Kalutara, Polonnaruwa, and Monaragala districts are expected to see a drop in air quality today. 

However, air quality is expected to improve in the Vavuniya, Nuwara Eliya, Embilipitiya, Hambantota, and Anuradhapura districts today. 

As there may be an increase of dust particles in the atmosphere, which is harmful to humans, people with respiratory illnesses are advised to be vigilant and seek medical attention if affected. (Newswire)

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The Central Environment Authority (CEA) warns that air quality in certain areas may worsen today due to the influence of Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” over the Southwest Bay of Bengal.

The CEA said as such, the air quality index may remain between 92 and 120 in several areas throughout the day. 

The Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Kurunegala, Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara-Eliya, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Badulla, Trincomalee, Mullaitivi, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts are expected to see a drop in air quality today. 

The drop in air quality is being caused due to the entry of air pollutants from the North and Transboundary air pollution caused as a result of adverse weather conditions.

As there may be an increase of dust particles in the atmosphere, which is harmful to humans, people with respiratory illnesses are advised to be vigilant and seek medical attention if affected. (Newswire)

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The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) says the air quality index has risen in several areas of Sri Lanka, including Colombo.

CEA Media Spokesman Prof. Ajith Gunawardena said the prevalent gloomy and dark weather is a result of the inclement weather experienced across the country.

Pointing out that the air quality index of Sri Lanka is generally below the value of 50, he said, however, due to the recent heavy rains, an increase in the index is noted, with weather similar to dust or fog seen in many parts of the nation.

Prof. Ajith Gunawardena revealed that this was a result of the entry of air pollutants from the North and Transboundary air pollution caused due to adverse weather conditions.

Due to this situation, the air quality index has increased to 180 in the Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Colombo areas, said Prof. Ajith Gunwardena, adding that, however, the air quality index is expected to improve from tomorrow (30 Nov).

Stating that the increase of dust particles in the atmosphere is harmful to humans, he advised people with respiratory illnesses to be vigilant and seek medical attention if affected. (Newswire)

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A ban will be imposed on the manufacture and sale of certain single-use plastic products in Sri Lanka in October, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) announced today. 

The Central Environmental Authority stated that the ban will be imposed with effect from 01 October 2023.

The ban will be imposed on one-time-use plastic products such as drinking straws, cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons, string hopper trays, garlands, etc. (NewsWire)

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The chemical factory that was destroyed due to a fire in the Katuwana Industrial Zone in Homagama yesterday was not in possession of an Environmental Protection Licence, the Central Environmental Authority said on Friday (Aug 18).

Media spokesman of the Authority Ajith Weerasundara told reporters today that the fire had caused damage to the atmosphere, while the collection of wastewater had also caused harm to the surrounding environment. 

According to Ada Derana, Weerasundara further stated that the Katuwana Industrial Zone administration must take responsibility for failing to obtain the necessary documentation for the chemical factory which is in operation since last December. 

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa has requested the public to refrain from travelling in and around the areas surrounding the chemical factory

Seven fire engines were dispatched to douse the fire that had erupted at the chemical factory in the Katuwana Industrial Zone in Homagama last evening.

The fire was contained through the joint efforts of Army and Police personnel. (NewsWire)

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