News
Use of polythene packaging material for some products banned
by Ifham Nizam
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) yesterday said a gazette notification had been issued by the Environment Ministry banning the use of polythene packaging products for agrochemicals and single-use sachets.
According to CEA, Chiariman S. Amarasinghe this decision will come into effect from 31, March 2021.
The Extraordinary Gazette was issued on January 21, pursuant to Section 23W (1) (a) of the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980 by Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.
As per the gazette, the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material for packing agrochemicals for any process, trade or industry, has been prohibited.
In addition, the following plastic items have also been banned by the gazette:
Sachets having less than or equal to a net volume of 20ml/ net weight of 20g (except for packing food and medicines).
Inflatable toys; except balloons, balls, water floating/pool toys, and water sports gear. Cotton buds with plastic stems; except plastic cotton buds used for medical/clinical
treatment. Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Hemantha Withanage told The Island Sri Lanka is far behind other nations in taking actions to regulate single use plastics.
“The current government made an attempt to regularise the few single use plastic items here. However, this gazette has not been issued due to the pressure from big brand owners and the plastic manufacturers,” he said
Nearly 45 million yoghurt cups, sachets, shampoo packets are released into the environment a month without any recycling process, the CEJ study has revealed.
The CEJ recommends an immediate ban on single-use plastics such as lunch sheets, shopping bags, sachets, small plastic bottles and other selected items. Large plastic bottles, plastic containers, yoghurt cups and other recyclable items have to collected and recycled. Mandatory Extended producer responsibility is a must to resolve this issue.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Institute [NBRI] has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura valid upto 0900 AM on 23rd May 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella and Dehiowita in the Kegalle district and Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Horana, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Pelmadulla, Kiriella, Elapatha, Kalawana and Nivithigala in the Rathnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Agalawatta and Mathugama in the Kalutara district, Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district and Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district.
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Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Based on the heavy rainfall currently being received in the Kalu River Basin and the analysis of water level data recorded at hydrological gauging stations maintained by the Irrigation Department within the Kalu River Basin, it is hereby warned that a Minor Flood Situation is likely to occur within the next
few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River.
The affected areas include the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha, Kiriella in Ratnapura District.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists and passengers travelling through the affected regions, are strongly requested to act with utmost vigilance and to take all necessary
precautions. Disaster Management Authorities are requested to take necessary actions in this regard.
A considerable rainfall has occurred in the catchment areas of the Aththanagalu Oya Basin as atb5.00 AM today (22).
By analyzing the current rainfall situation and river water levels of Hydrological Stations on the Aththanagalu Oya, there is a possibility of a flood situation occuring in some low lying
areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys situated in Diwulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-ela, Katana and Wattala Div8sional Secretaries Divisions within next 48 hours.
Owing to this situation, there is a possibility of some of the roads running through these lowlying areas being inundated at some places.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists traveling through these regions, are requested to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Kelani River valley
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Gampaha, Kalutara and Ratnapura
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