The Ministry of Environment has called on the public to reduce reliance on single-use plastic water bottles and switch to reusable alternatives as part of efforts to curb plastic pollution.

In a public appeal, the Ministry warned that plastic bottles bought for temporary convenience could remain in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to long-term environmental damage.

It urged people to carry reusable water bottles, including glass bottles and other environmentally friendly alternatives, stressing that changes in everyday habits could help reduce plastic waste significantly.

The Ministry said steps had already been taken to limit the purchase and use of single-use plastic water bottles in state institutions.

A special circular issued through the Ministry came into effect on May 31, 2026, directing state institutions to minimise the purchase and use of such bottles.

Programmes aimed at reducing the use of plastic and polythene are also continuing across state institutions, in line with commitments made on World Environment Day 2025, the Ministry said.

It added that arrangements were being made under amended environmental legislation to introduce nationwide initiatives to reduce plastic use in collaboration with industries.

However, the Ministry stressed that regulations alone would not be enough to tackle plastic pollution and called for greater responsibility and behavioural change among individuals.

“Real change begins with shifting our daily habits,” the Ministry said, urging people to begin by carrying their own reusable water bottles when leaving home.

Reducing dependence on single-use plastics is essential to creating a cleaner and greener environment for future generations, the Ministry said.

The government was monitoring vessels reportedly anchored near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Media Director General Thushara Rodrigo told the media on Saturday.

However, Rodrigo stressed that the vessels were outside Sri Lanka’s sovereign territory and that the Government was neither responsible for them nor providing them with any facilities.

According to maritime tracking website TankerTrackers, nearly 20 Iranian oil tankers are currently anchored near Sri Lanka’s EEZ after being unable to return to Iranian ports. The website attributed the situation to a US naval blockade that has prevented the vessels from reaching their home ports.

TankerTrackers said about 13 Iranian-flagged oil tankers, along with several sanction-evading vessels commonly known as the “shadow fleet”, were currently anchored near Sri Lanka’s EEZ. It added that the vessels were not carrying fuel.

The website also raised concerns over the safety of the vessels, citing an incident last March in which an American submarine reportedly struck and sank the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, about 19 nautical miles off the Sri Lankan coast.

However, TankerTrackers noted that under international law, the United States could not attack vessels within the territorial waters of a neutral country, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from its coastline.

by Norman Palihawadane

A 17-year-old schoolboy was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon at Arapola, in Eheliyagoda, yesterday.

The victim, an Advanced Level student at Eheliyagoda National School, succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Eheliyagoda Base Hospital.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the attack was linked to a dispute that occurred near the Arapola School Junction on Saturday evening.

Police said a youth had been talking to two girls near the junction when another individual allegedly recorded them on a mobile phone, leading to a dispute between the two parties.

The suspect is alleged to have arrived at the victim’s residence early yesterday and attacked him with a sharp weapon before fleeing the scene.

Police are conducting further investigations to identify and apprehend the suspect.