President to ban polythene

7 December 2015 01:13 pm

President Maithripala Sirisena told parliament today that regulations would be introduced to ban polythene from January 1, next year.

Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget in the House in his capacity as the Minister of Environment and Mahaveli Development, the President said the gazette on this effect would be issued shortly.

Further he reminded that the ban on asbestos would come into effect by 2017.

Also, he said all MPs would be given a role to play in the formulation of a program to safeguard forests in the country. (Yohan Perera)