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Director of Environment Protection of Hong Kong Dr. Samuel CHUI highlighted that Sri Lanka, as a developing country, is facing increasingly serious air pollution issues.
“China and other nations have prioritised air quality during industrial development. However, Sri Lanka is now seeking expertise from experts in countries like China, Australia, and Canada to address this pressing concern, he said.
He added as the economy continues to grow rapidly, the challenge of maintaining air quality standards is of paramount importance.
He was speaking at the conference on improving air quality in lower Middle-income countries monitoring, modelling and pollution Control held at the China Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology (JRDC) on July 04.
Director of JRDC Dr. S. K. Weragoda, highlighted that the conference provided a platform for experts from various countries to exchange their knowledge on addressing environmental impacts and improving air quality.
The experts focused on air quality monitoring, pollution levels, and policy strategies to mitigate air pollution.
Representatives from China, Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, and the Maldives, as well as local experts from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Peradeniya, Central Environmental Authority, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Water Supply Ministry shared their experiences, he said.
Dr. Weragoda emphasised that this conference allowed Sri Lanka to gain insights into the latest technologies used in other countries to combat air pollution.
He mentioned the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the CEA and JRDC, underscores the latter’s role as a regulatory body capable of supporting environmental monitoring and sustainable development in alignment with the President’s policy.
Director General of the Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. ZHU Yongguan emphasised that air pollution is a global challenge that should be addressed unitedly.
He expressed gratitude to the JRDC, a joint Research and Demonstration Centre between China and Sri Lanka, for organising such conferences to bring together experts in the field on a common platform.
He expressed hope that in the future, Sri Lanka will host similar activities to promote collaboration and training for young scientists.
“The young scientists should work together with their international peers to tackle global issues of importance”, he said.
He also highlighted that Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned with its diverse ecosystems.
Prof. James Schauer of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, United States, stated that experts from various countries convened at the conference to deliberate on the development of strategies for addressing air quality and capacity building to control air pollution in Sri Lanka and other countries in the region.
He emphasised the importance of creating a roadmap for this purpose, drawing from the experiences of countries such as China, the United States, and Hong Kong, among others. Additionally, he mentioned that a group of professors from the US shared their expertise on modelling and measuring air pollution, providing valuable insights into its sources and impacts on human health.
Dr. Gayan Bowatte, from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Peradeniya, emphasised the importance of the conference organised by the JRDC, which is affiliated with the university. The conference aims to address the issue of air pollution in Sri Lanka and gather insights from local and foreign experts on how to mitigate its effects.
Dr. Bowatte highlighted the neglected nature of air pollution in the country, despite its significant impact on public health. He stressed the need for greater attention to this issue, considering the adverse health effects and fatalities associated with air pollution.
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