News
Indian expert sees gaps in our environmental laws
By Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka has strong environmental laws for implementing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, but there are some gaps which need to be addressed to achieve the standards of the best international practices, says an Indian scientist.
Speaking at a Seminar in Colombo, Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment Director Nivit Kumar Yadav said that proper data systems, good quality EIA reports, development of proper review systems, to evaluate EIA reports, enhancing the involvement of civil society, and compliance of approved projects through well-prepared Environmental Management Plan (EMPs), were essential.
“Sri Lanka needs to improve the transparency when it comes to environmental compliance, which will push industries to take extra measures to comply with statutory norms”, Yadav said.
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, India, have collaborated to conduct a workshop-cum-training programme on strengthening the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in Sri Lanka.
Although Sri Lanka has strong environmental laws under the National Environmental Act, it has to face various challenges, when it comes to implementation of those laws, according to the CEA and CSE. To achieve the objective of implementing EIA for prescribed development projects, data collection, impact assessment study, the preparation of the EIA report, and implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to facilitate compliance monitoring have to be executed in full spirit.
As for implementation, the EIA process responsibilities lie with all relevant stakeholders, CEA, and the project proponents. There is also a need to improve the quality of the EIA report since decisions are made on the basis of the recommendations of the EIA report. Keeping this in mind, the CEA and CSE are conducting workshops-cum-capacity building programme to enhance the knowledge of environmental regulators to ensure better implementation of EIA in Sri Lanka.
Supun S Pathirage, Chairman, CEA, and P B Hemantha Jayasinghe, Director General, CEA, expressed their gratitude to the CSE for their contribution in handling such a workshop and pointed out the benefits of environment conservation work in Sri Lanka, through strengthening the EIA process.
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
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