Sri Lanka amends National Environmental Act to strengthen environmental protection

Colombo, June 30 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka has amended the National Environmental Act, introducing new legal provisions aimed at strengthening environmental protection, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody announced at an international climate conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

Addressing the ministerial-level special session of the 7th Global Conference on Climate and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Synergies on Monday, the Deputy Minister said the new government had taken significant steps to enhance environmental governance through legislative reforms.

"As the new government, we have been able to amend the National Environmental Act, thereby providing the necessary legal provisions to safeguard the environment," he said.

The Deputy Minister noted that the amendments include provisions to control water, air and noise pollution, protect wetlands, and implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms as part of broader environmental reforms.

Jayakody, who participated in a series of international environmental summits organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), stressed that environmental protection remains a key priority of the government.

He also highlighted the challenges faced by developing countries, including financial constraints, limited access to technology, high debt burdens and capacity limitations, and called for stronger international cooperation to address global environmental challenges.

On behalf of Sri Lanka, the Deputy Minister urged the international community to renew collective commitments and strengthen multilateral partnerships to accelerate climate action and sustainable development efforts.