As the Minister of Environment, Sri Lanka, it is a great pleasure for me to issue this message to mark the Second International Day of Clean Air for Blue Sky. It is vital to understand the importance of clean air, especially during this hard time of COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to rapid urbanization, many Asian cities are facing a range of socio-economic and environmental problems including traffic congestion, air pollution and bear the socio economic costs of their negative impacts. Sri Lanka is not an exemption to it. Research has pointed out the correlation between COVID-19 health outcomes and outdoor air pollution. Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase vulnerability to the most severe COVID-19 outcomes.

The need of sustainable environmental strategy has been identified in “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, the National Development Framework under the visionary leadership of H.E. the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. My Ministry is committed to take initiatives on air quality improvement in Sri Lanka with the support of all the stakeholders to ensure a healthy environment.

The Government has set ambitious targets for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change which includes reduction of transport sector emissions through environmentally sustainable transport systems by 2030 with special attention to air quality improvement.

The National Environmental Policy is being revised currently to facilitate the conservation of environment in Sri Lanka. It is now made available for public comments. We have also taken steps to promote electric mobility in the country. Cabinet of Ministers approved to prepare a Strategic Action Plan to promote the use of electric vehicles. We have introduced the standards for controlling air pollution from stationary sources and also introduced emission standards in compliance with Euro 4 emission standards to address emissions from mobile sources.

We need to control and prevent air pollution through forward looking measures that are proven to be effective and equitable, with a view to fostering public health and resilience. We believe that each stakeholder in air quality management has a key role to play. The role varies from awareness raising to making responsible choices, and bringing investments.

Let’s work together towards a clean air for a sustainable future. I wish the Second International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Sri Lanka commemorating in the theme of “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” a success in raising public awareness for a safer future.

We all live under the same blue sky. Let’s work together to reduce air pollution for achieving our economic, environmental, and social development goals.

Mahinda Amaraweera M.P.

Minister of Environment

Sri Lanka