Amended National Environmental Act to be presented to Parliament today

Colombo, June 24 (Daily Mirror) - The long-awaited bill to amend Sri Lanka’s National Environmental Act (NEA) is scheduled to be presented for its final reading, debate, and vote in Parliament today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s environmental governance framework.

According to the Environment Ministry, the proposed legislation represents the third amendment to the NEA and the first comprehensive overhaul of the law in nearly four decades.

The previous amendment, enacted in 2000, was limited in scope, while the landmark 1988 amendment introduced key regulatory mechanisms for environmental protection, including the Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) system and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements.

Officials said that the latest amendment is the most extensive revision undertaken since 1988, aimed at strengthening the legal and institutional framework for environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The Ministry of Environment and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) described June 24, 2026, as a highly significant day for the country’s environmental sector, expressing confidence that the amended legislation would provide the robust legal foundation needed to accelerate Sri Lanka’s sustainable development agenda.

The Ministry also said the public is looking forward to the passage of the amended Act, which is expected to enhance environmental management and support the country’s long-term development goals.