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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The Consumer Affairs Authority has 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.

The Gazette notification applies to all manufacturers, packers, distributors, transporters, store owners, and traders.

No one is allowed to produce, pack, distribute, transport, store, sell, or display these products—whether wholesale or retail—unless they carry the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.

The Consumer Affairs Authority further directs that no importer, packer, distributor, transporter, store owner, or trader may handle any imported products listed below—whether by importing, packing, distributing, transporting, storing, selling, or displaying them for sale, wholesale or retail—unless they meet inspection requirements.

These products must be inspected and approved under the Import Inspection Scheme operated by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, as per the Imports (Standardization and Quality Control) Regulation of 2006. 

The specified products include:

(i) Sri Lanka Standard Specification for Reusable Plastic Bottles for Carrying Drinkable Liquids – SLS 1616

(ii) Sri Lanka Standard Specification for Feeding Bottles Made of Polymer Materials – SLS 1306

The Gazette will come into effect from 01st April 2026.

Gazette : https://documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2025/10/2456-42_E.pdf (Newswire)

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The government will make a key decision in two months regarding plastic products that affect children, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, said. 

Addressing the media, Minister Samarasinghe said, world over, attention has been focused on the effects of everyday plastic exposure, causing cancer among children. 

He further revealed that experiments conducted in the local market have reported high-risk situations in this regard.

Minister Samarasinghe said that as such, in coordination with several other ministries, it has been decided to take a stringent decision in the next two months.

“This decision will be jointly taken by the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and the Ministries of Industries, Environment, Education, and the Consumer Affairs Authority,” he said. 

Stating that not only will importers and manufacturers of plastic products be briefed on the impacts, he said they will be informed of the negative impacts to children and the guidelines to be followed during the production of such items. 

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe also said that a committee will be appointed to look into the matter, adding that those involved in the plastic products industry are encouraged to share their concerns and suggestions with the said committee. 

He went on to note that, based on the report of the committee, the authorities will take the utmost measures to safeguard the children of the nation. (Newswire)

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A team of science undergraduates in Sri Lanka became the overall winners of a South Asian youth hackathon to come up with innovative solutions to tackle the global crisis of plastic pollution.

The winners designed a biodegradable fish storage box as an alternative to Styrofoam-based boxes widely used in fisheries. The team, calling itself ‘Myco Box by White Root’, instead proposes to use mycelium, a root-like structure found in fungus.

Second place was won by an Indian youth team called ‘Green Alchemy’ who came up with an enzyme-based plastic biodegradation innovation. Coming third was the ‘Eco Pet’ team from Bhutan, who proposed a gamification platform linked to a smartphone app to promote consumer education for reducing household waste.

These winners were chosen from among 23 finalist teams – comprising 67 young men and women aged 18 to 30 – in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The competition, known as PLEASE Hack, was an initiative under the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, a five-year regional initiative implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), funded by the World Bank and supported by UNOPS.

The finalist teams pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of experts drawn from across the region. Judges ranked the teams based on their solutions’ innovative potential, business model, implementation plan, regional collaboration and scalability as well as overall environmental and social sustainability. Their final selections were unanimous.

PLEASE Hack attracted more than 250 youth from the eight eligible countries who formed into 98 teams to present innovative solutions to reduce plastic use and improve waste management in households and communities, or in micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Shortlisted teams engaged in a two-week virtual Hackathon during March, collaborating within each team to refine and develop their innovative concepts. They received mentoring support and guidance from national experts. Country level judging then selected 23 teams who were supported to travel to the Sout Asian Regional Final held in Colombo on April 6.

The regional winners will receive seed funding to enable them in refining their innovations and present them to potential investors. National-level winners from each South Asian country were also recognised and rewarded.

“Our planet will flourish only when our youth are empowered to take stewardship,” says Norbu Wangchuk, Director General of SACEP, expressing his enthusiasm for the initiative.

“This hackathon demonstrates the commitment of our youth in South Asia, who are not only worried about the plastic crisis that we face but also offer solutions to save the planet from the crisis. This Hackathon is empowering the youth to take charge of their future.” 

“South Asia is projected to see over one million young people join the labour force monthly over the next 10 years,” says Cecile Fruman, Director, Regional Integration in the South Asia Region (SAR) for the World Bank. “Fostering innovation and job creation through public and private sector solutions needs to be a key priority. Initiatives such as the hackathon create sustainable job opportunities for young innovators in support of the goal of the PLEASE project to promote circular economy innovation.”

Charles Callanan, Director, South Asia Multi-Country Office, UNOPS, emphasised the long-term benefits of the event, noting, “The PLEASE Hack Hackathon is about transforming innovation into practical solutions. We are excited to see these ideas come to life and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable South Asia.”

Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) is the region’s largest initiative to combat marine plastic pollution and promote sustainable plastic use. Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) with implementation support from UNOPS, PLEASE drives innovation through public-private partnerships, competitive grants, and circular economy solutions. More details can be found on the website: https://please-project.org/ (Newswire)

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The Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has urged the government to implement the tax on single-use plastics as stated in the Supreme Court case (No. SCFR 220/21). 

According to a statement from the CEA, its Chairman Hemantha Withanage has sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in this regard.

The CEJ states another environmental problem facing Sri Lanka is the excessive generation of plastic waste, and it is estimated that about 20 million plastic bags are thrown away every day, in addition to other plastics. This amount of waste poses a significant threat to the environment and public health.

Although legislation was introduced in 2008 to impose a conservation levy on plastic bags, its implementation was prevented by the decision of the SCFR 368/2008 case filed against it. Against this, on 20 July 2021, the Centre for Environmental Justice and its Chairman Hemantha Withanage filed a Fundamental Rights Petition No. SCFR 220/21 in the Supreme Court. The petition calls for manufacturers to develop practical procedures to reduce the production of polyethylene, and for consumers to implement practical procedures to reduce the use of single-use plastics. In this case, SCFR 368/2008, the petitioner, the Government, the Consumer Affairs Authority of Sri Lanka, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and other parties, as parties, reached a settlement on 28th March 2024, agreeing to impose a tax on single-use shopping bags as a step to resolve the dispute over plastic pollution.

However, due to the laxity seen in this regard during the previous government, the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury did not take steps to establish such a fund, and therefore, this decision was not implemented. Although the Consumer Affairs Authority lifted the ban on charging a price for bags imposed in 2008 without imposing a surcharge, shopkeepers should do both at the same time, as they are earning a profit from the sale.

“We believe that if we impose a price on plastic bags, it will reduce the number of discarded bags to some extent, and the proposed tax could generate a revenue of approximately Rs. 15 million per day, which could be effectively used for environmental conservation and waste management initiatives. 

“However, nine months after the settlement, the agreed course of action has yet to be implemented. This delay undermines efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic pollution.

“We would also like to draw your attention to the global trend of implementing laws and policies aimed at minimizing, discouraging, or prohibiting the use of certain drugs. Ireland, most European countries, as well as several African and Asian countries, including Kenya and Rwanda, have successfully introduced taxes and other regulatory measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics. These initiatives have proven effective in significantly reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable uses,” it said.

According to the CEJ, currently, discussions are underway under the auspices of the United Nations on a global agreement to limit the use of plastic, which also includes plans to ban these single-use plastics.

Therefore, considering the urgency of this matter, the Center for Environmental Justice has requested the urgent attention of the President to ensure that the court settlement of SCFR 220/21 is implemented accordingly.

“We would like to inform you that by implementing this surcharge, Sri Lanka will be able to take a significant step towards reducing plastic waste while also freeing up much-needed funds for environmental conservation and sustainable development,” the CEJ added. (Newswire)

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The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) has launched inspections to detect plastic and polythene unfit for use being sold in the local market.

The PHIU has conducted inspections of several retail stores in the Colombo and Puttalam areas. 

The inspections are being conducted to detect plastic items sold for the forthcoming school year and the festive season. 

PHIU President Upul Rohana urged the public to be mindful of the plastic products being bought. 

He advised the public to check the plastic products for genuinity by ascertaining whether there were markings of a wine cup or number five at the bottom or on the product.

Plastic made from polypropylene (PP), which is marked with the number 5 inside a triangle formed by three arrows, is considered durable, lightweight, and safe for use. It is commonly used in food containers.

Upul Rohana informed the public to refrain from purchasing plastic products without such markings, adding that they could lead to various illnesses. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has requested candidates contesting the 2024 Presidential Election to refrain from using plastic and polythene during their campaigning activities.

The Election Commission said the request has been made considering a request made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, and the ban introduced in September 2017.

The National Election Commission made the announcement following the acceptance of nominations by Presidential candidates today. 

A total of 39 candidates handed in their nominations to contest the Presidential Election scheduled for September 21 this year. (Newswire)

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The Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development has recommended banning the use of lunch sheets in Sri Lanka.

According to a Parliament statement, the recommendations have been issued to the Central Environment Authority considering the serious damage caused to health and the environment.

The Committee which met this week under the Chairmanship of MP Ajith Mannapperuma further discussed the reduction of plastic and polythene use and the development of the recycling process in Sri Lanka.

A group of officials representing the Ministry of Environment, Central Environment Authority, Sri Lanka Customs and Department of Agricultural Development were called before the committee recently.

A discussion was held at length regarding the environmental damage caused by the use of lunch sheets in this country as well as the effect of phthalates, a carcinogen, on human lives. 

Accordingly, the Committee gave recommendations to the Central Environment Authority to ban the use of lunch sheets, while also giving a grace period of 6 months to remove it from use and introduce alternatives. 

The officials of the Ministry of Environment pointed out that lunch sheets are not used in any country in the world and pointed out the importance of not using lunch sheets in Sri Lanka.

Amendments currently presented to the Environment Act were considered by the Committee, with the officials stating that several special points have been proposed to reduce the use of polythene and plastic. 

Meanwhile, the Committee suggested that the responsibility of re-collecting plastic bottles for recycling should be given to those who produce and distribute them. 

Accordingly, the officials stated that it is expected by amending the Act to prepare a system to find out whether the plastic bottles distributed for various consumption needs are recollected and added to the recycling process by using QR codes using new technology. 

The Committee emphasized that to make the returning process of plastic bottles for recycling more efficient, a considerable amount should be given to the empty bottles.

Moreover, the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee instructed the officials present to identify the single-use plastic equipment and materials currently being imported to Sri Lanka, list them and submit a report in this regard.

MPs Jayantha Ketagoda, (Dr.) Thilak Rajapakshe, and Waruna Liyanage, and a group of officials representing the Ministry of Environment, Central Environment Authority and Sri Lanka Customs were present at the Committee meeting. (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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An estimated 1.59 million tonnes of plastic waste is mismanaged in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka said, commemorating World Environment Day, marked today (June 05).

In its statement, the UNDP stated that the statistics are a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done to beat plastic pollution.  

The following is the UNDP’s statement on the support extended to the Government of Sri Lanka to move from pollution to solutions;

Promise in Peril

It is 2023, and the world is at the mid-way point to 2030. Yet, the world’s progress on delivering Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are moderately to severely off track. The SDG Progress Report’s Special Edition from May 2023 outlines that the SDGs are disappearing in the rear-view mirror – and with them the hope and rights of current and future generations. 

A fundamental shift is needed – in commitment, solidarity, financing and action – to put the world on a better path. And it is needed now. The report sounds the alarms on the short sightedness of prevailing economic and political systems that are ratcheting up the war on nature. The report stresses that the small window of opportunity to limit global temperatures to 1.5 degrees and prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis, to secure climate justice for people, communities and countries on the frontlines of climate change, is fast closing.

A Circular Economy

One key component in the path to climate, environmental and social resilience in our society to accelerate progress on sustainable development, both locally and globally, is the circular economy approach. Estimates show that more resources than naturally available on Earth are being used.  If current trends were to continue, the world would need three planets by 2050. Currently, only 7.2 percent of used materials are cycled back into our economies after use. This has a significant burden on the environment and contributes to the climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises.

Circular economy, on the other hand, aims to minimize waste and promote a sustainable use of natural resources, through smarter product design, longer use, recycling and more, as well as regenerate nature. Besides helping tackle the problem of pollution, circular economy can play a critical role in solving other complex challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss—particularly noteworthy on the heel of this year’s World Environment Day theme to “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

Waste & Sri Lanka

The plastic pollution and the waste issues are not just a global problem – but a very real local problem as well. Sri Lanka imports over 500,000 MT of virgin plastic annually, straining the country’s waste management systems. An estimated 1.59 million tonnes of plastic waste are mismanaged. About half of this amount ends up in canals, rivers, and eventually the ocean, endangering marine ecosystems. Currently, only 33% of all plastic waste is collected, out of which only 3% is recycled nation-wide. With an average 0.4-1 kg daily per capita waste generation, Sri Lanka produces 10,786 tonnes of waste per day. According to the Waste Management Division of the Central Environmental Authority, only about half of that gets collected as municipal waste. Overall, 85% of waste generated is estimated to be disposed inappropriately, mainly through indiscriminate open dumping and burning, giving rise to health and environmental impacts. Nearly 16% of the country’s total GHG emissions is generated from waste. Continued business as usual trends would substantially increase current emission levels (3.42 million ton) over the coming years—particularly worrying for a country already listed as one of the most impacted by climate change.

Pollution to Solution

Important steps have been taken, particularly by the government, in the right direction over the last few years to address regulatory, technology and financing gaps that restrain investment in waste solutions. However, the statistics are a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka is supporting the Government of Sri Lanka to meet this need, and transition to a green development trajectory using the circular economy principles. From sustainable healthcare waste management, strengthened management of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), unintentional persistent organic pollutants (UPOPs) and Mercury, waste-to-energy initiatives including the recently launched e-Tuk Tuk pilot project, and towards sustainable final disposal solutions, UNDP and the Government are exploring comprehensive and sustainable waste management solutions. Building on this, steps have also been taken in working towards leveraging more innovative approaches to this issue, including carbon payments, Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) and more. These interventions seek to promote a circular economy, feeding into Sri Lanka’s green recovery and development—for a country that has reduced GHG emissions, green and dignified jobs, a stable economy, and climate and environmental resilience.

World Environment Day 2023 is a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to ensure the safety and resilience of the current and future generations. It is time to accelerate this action and transition to a circular economy, moving from pollution to solutions. (NewsWire)

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The Ministry of Environment is considering prohibiting certain single-use plastic products this year as part of its roadmap for plastic pollution control from 2022- 2023.

Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe told the media that regulations are being formulated to ban certain plastic products, including plastic string hopper trays, forks and spoons, and garlands.

The importation of pellets will also be prohibited due to existing stocks and also to help mitigate the foreign exchange crisis, he said. 

Dr. Jasinghe further stated that the new regulations will come into effect in the coming months. 

Alongside the regulations, the Environment Ministry is also looking at other measures such as recycling and reducing the use of plastic products.

The Ministry is also focussing on replacing certain plastic products with locally found reusable materials which will help improve the livelihoods of those in the local industries, Dr. Jasinghe said. (NewsWire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal, presented by the Minister of Environment, to ban several plastic products in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the media today that the production, importation, selling and use of the following items will be banned in Sri Lanka with effect from 01st June 2023.

• Single-use plastic straws and stirrers
• Plastic yoghurt spoons, plates, cups (except yoghurt cups), knives, spoons and forks
• Plastic flower garlands
• Plastic string hopper trays

The move comes after an expert committee was appointed to look into the proposal submitted in August 2021 seeking permission to prohibit seven single-use plastic polythene and plastic products in Sri Lanka.

The Cabinet has decided to ban certain plastic items based on the recommendations of the report submitted by the expert committee on the matter. (NewsWire)

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