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Father, daughter produce biodegradable ballpoint pens with seeds inside
Sachini Christina Sugirdan presents an eco-friendly carbon pen she and her father produced to Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera
By Ifham Nizam
Nearly 100 kilos of used ballpoint pens are discarded in Sri Lanka on a daily basis and they will take several hundred years to decompose fully, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says.
Amaraweera said so when inventor Sachini Kristina Sugirdan yesterday presented a new eco-friendly ballpoint.
The pen introduced by Sachini and her father Sugirdan is a 96 per cent eco-friendly product made of biodegradable materials to prevent environmental damage. The pens come with vegetable and fruit seeds in them.
The invention is completely eco-friendly and it can be grown as a vegetable or fruit plant without having to dispose of empty ballpoint pens.
Amaraweera said used plastic ballpoint pens discarded took at least 100 years to decompose and it had been proved that micro-plastic molecules do not decompose in the soil for about 400 years.
The Minister said that his ministry had introduced special containers to prevent those discarded items from entering the environment, and added that ballpoint pens and toothbrushes would be destroyed with the help of INSEE Cement Company. “But when ballpoint pens are burnt, the carbon dioxide emitted from them pollutes the atmosphere the Minister said.
Speaking on the occasion, Sachini said that she had introduced the product to prevent environmental damage and that the pen could be planted. This pen can be planted. Then you can grow fruits, vegetables and even yams. She added that the pens came with seeds inside them.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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