Daily disposal of 15 Mn. face masks harm birds: Amaraweera

With the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in the country, nearly 15 million face masks are being disposed daily in Sri Lanka have become extremely hazardous to birds, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Nearly, 800 tons of face masks are imported during the first half of last year (2020). 

It has been reported that a large flock of birds die due to face mask loops get wrapped around their necks. 

Therefore, the Minister urged the public to cut off the earlobes on either side of the face mask before disposing them.
 
It is our responsibility to safeguard nature and wildlife, the Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)