By Yohan Perera  

While it was revealed that Sri Lanka has imported 3,553.8 million kgs of plastic products from 2012 to 2018 at a total cost of Rs 184,309.9 million, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) had instructed Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe to expedite the amendment of the environment –related laws of the country. 

Parliamentary media unit quoting COPE Chairman Professor Charitha Herath said the Ministry Secretary was asked to blunt influence made by certain organisations to prevent the amendment of such laws.  

According to the statement by the unit, Professor Herath was of the opinion that the ineffective disposal methods of solid wastes resulted in Sri Lanka not being able to handle the plastic importation. COPE had also stressed the need to maintain the quality of food packaging in Sri Lanka and had also highlighted the need to use degradable material for packaging.  

COPE further stressed the need for the implementation of National Solid Waste Policy.  

Professor Herath, Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Sarath Weerasekera, State Ministers Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, MPs Jayantha Samaraweera, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Jagath Pushpakumara, Eran Wickramaratne, Premanath C. Dolawatte and S. Rasamanikkam participated in the meeting.

• COPE further stressed the need for the implementation of National Solid Waste Policy