Environmental protection needs public participation beyond laws: Minister

Colombo, June 13 (Daily Mirror) - Environmental protection cannot be achieved through legislation alone and requires broad public participation and continuous dialogue across all sectors of society, Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi said during a stakeholder consultation on the amended National Environmental Act, which is scheduled to be debated in Parliament on June 24.

The meeting, held yesterday (12), brought together more than 20 environmental organizations, environmentalists, and senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to discuss the proposed amendments.

During the discussion, the Minister outlined the key provisions of the revised legislation, stressing the need to update the National Environmental Act in line with modern environmental challenges, particularly climate change. He also assured participants that the amendments would be implemented in accordance with the Constitution and existing environmental laws.

Environmentalists who attended the consultation responded positively to the proposed amendments, which include stronger powers for the CEA, stricter penalties for environmental violations, new provisions on hazardous waste and chemical management, and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and wetland conservation measures.

The amended Bill, which received Cabinet approval in 2025 and was gazetted on April 22 this year, is expected to be taken up for debate and a vote in Parliament on June 24. Officials said the reforms are aimed at strengthening environmental justice and enhancing the protection of ecosystems for future generations.