Nat. Environment Act to be amended with 42 new clauses: Minister

The Ministry of Environment has taken steps to amend the National Environment Act which has not been amended for more than 20 years.

Accordingly, it has been decided to amend the National Environmental Act to include 42 new clauses to make it a stronger legal body.

A discussion on this was held at the Ministry of Environment recently. During the discussion, the progress of the Central Environmental Authority and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau were reviewed and the Minister inquired from the officials about the amendment of the National Environment Act.

The Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera pointed out about the powers currently in force under the National Environmental Act are insufficient for environmental protection.

Commenting on some environmental destruction being reported these days, the Minister said there was an element of truth behind the media reports, which disclosed certain individuals are 
causing great environmental damage in the country.

It is no secret that local politicians, racketeers as well as some officials are behind this environmental destruction, he said.