Sri Lanka yesterday took a major step towards strengthening its environmental protection and public health systems with the launch of a USD 38 million Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported initiative aimed at improving the management of hazardous chemicals, mercury and medical waste.

The Ministry of Environment formally handed over state-of-the-art analytical laboratory equipment to key institutions to enhance the country’s capacity to monitor hazardous chemicals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), while accelerating compliance with international environmental obligations.

The programme, titled “Integrated Management and Environmentally Sound Disposal of POPs Pesticides in the Agricultural Sector and Mercury and Waste in the Healthcare Sector in Sri Lanka,” is financed through a USD 5.04 million grant from the Global Environment Facility, together with USD 33.16 million in co-financing, bringing the total investment to more than USD 38 million.

The five-year initiative (2024-2029) is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment under the National Implementation Modality (NIM), with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The official ceremony was held at the Ministry of Environment under the patronage of Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody.

Officials said the project addresses two of Sri Lanka’s most pressing environmental challenges: strengthening national capacity to monitor hazardous agricultural chemicals and reducing mercury pollution from the healthcare sector.

A key component of the programme is the gradual phase-out of mercury-containing medical devices in line with Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The project also seeks to minimise unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (U-POPs), which are generated through the improper incineration of medical waste, by introducing safer and environmentally sound waste management technologies.

Environmental experts noted that strengthening laboratory capacity would significantly improve the country’s ability to detect hazardous chemical residues, enforce environmental regulations and respond more effectively to pollution incidents affecting ecosystems and public health.

The event also saw the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with beneficiary institutions receiving the advanced laboratory equipment.

Highlighting the importance of ensuring the long-term usability of the sophisticated instruments, Professor Parakrama Karunaratne, of the Engineering Design Centre at the University of Peradeniya, delivered a presentation on a specially developed Technical and Financial Sustainability Mechanism designed to guarantee the maintenance, operation and sustainability of the equipment well beyond the project’s lifespan.

Senior officials said the mechanism would help prevent costly scientific equipment from becoming underutilised because of inadequate maintenance or funding constraints.

Among those attending the ceremony were UNDP Sri Lanka Officer-in-Charge Marina Ten, Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala, Central Environmental Authority Director General Kapila Rajapaksa and senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and partner institutions.

The initiative is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s chemical management framework, improve environmental governance and enhance the country’s capacity to meet international obligations relating to hazardous chemicals and waste, while contributing to the protection of ecosystems and public health.

By Ifham Nizam

The government has banned the import of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labour, under new regulations issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The regulations, which came into effect on July 10, prohibit the import of any goods that have been wholly or partially mined, manufactured or produced using forced labour.

They also require importers to furnish the Director General of Customs with documentation certifying that imported goods were not produced through forced labour.

The regulations provide that the Minister will periodically identify the goods or countries to which the prohibition applies, taking into account decisions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The move follows a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose additional import tariffs on goods from 60 countries, including Sri Lanka, over what Washington described as inadequate measures to prevent the import of products made with forced labour.

Under the proposal, Sri Lankan exports would be subject to an additional 12.5 per cent tariff. The United States said the measure was prompted by Sri Lanka’s failure to prohibit the import of goods produced with forced labour or to effectively enforce such restrictions.

The new regulations are intended to address that concern by prohibiting the import of goods linked to forced labour.

A Maha Sangha Forum was held at the Biyagama Sri Bodhirukkharama Maha Viharaya to celebrate the 91st Birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Presided over by the Most Venerable Dr. Malwane Pannasara Mahanayake Thera, the event brought together 130 supreme monastic leaders from the Three Nikayas and over 300 lay devotees. including former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala, Biyagama Deputy Mayor Sugath Dissanayake, Former SJB Provincial Minister U George Perera, District Organiser SBP Jayantha Atapattu and SLPP Organiser Ajith Kumara graced the occasion.

Organised by the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood, led by Dr. Damenda Porage (IBC Deputy Secretary-General), Bodhirukkharama Maha Viharaya and Biyagama Tri-Nikayika Sangha Council, the forum highlighted India’s monumental role and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary state support in safeguarding the Tibetan Buddhist heritage.

The event concluded with seth pirith chanting invoking a long life of 130 years for His Holiness, followed by the signing of a historic joint blessing declaration.

Marking the occasion with compassion, the foundation’s Karuna Dhara Project distributed month-long essential nutritional packs to expectant mothers.