Policies

A National Strategy for Solid Waste Management has been formulated, where waste avoidance is prioritized over other forms of treatment and disposal. The National Cleaner Production Policy & Strategy and the sectoral Cleaner Production Policies which cover major economic sectors (health, agriculture, Fisheries, tourism) of the country. A National Industrial Pollution Management Policy is in place. The National Environmental Action Plan has advocated the establishment of a Cleaner Production Center as the first priority for waste reduction, and accordingly, a National Cleaner Production Center has been established under the Ministry of Industries A National Plan for Hazardous waste management has been prepared. National Cleaner Production Policy in place. Database of Municipal Solid Waste in Sri Lanka has been updated. Approval for importation of pesticides is granted on consignment basis. At the time of granting approval, attention is paid to the amount of the product available with the consignee in order to avoid the accumulation of unwanted or obsolete stocks within the country. Further consignments which are older than three months at the time of export from the country of origin are not allowed to import into the country. A decision was taken to introduce Load Based Licensing scheme under the Environmental protecting license program. Cleaner Production activities are promoted island wide. National Action Plan for “Haritha Lanka Programme” has been prepared. Under this programme Following strategies will be implemented;

- Promote Life Cycle management of waste - Strengthen the institutional mechanism for solid waste managmnet in each Local Authority or adopt appropriate alternative methods

- Prevent accumulation of Hazardous Wastes into the non hazardous waste streams

- Apply Polluter Pay Principle and environmentally sound treatment and disposal of industrial solid waste

- Apply zero waste concepts in agricultural farms.

Legislation

Internal Management of Hazardous waste regulations are in place. These regulations have been revised to incorporate a prescribed list of hazardous waste identified under Non specific sources and Specific sources (List A & List B Wastes). Guidelines for the implementation of hazardous waste management regulations are in place. A guidance manual for safe and effective detection and investigation of illegal traffic and transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes has been prepared. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) plays the role of a service provider and the entire responsibility of deleting and other powers are vested with the Sri Lanka Customs. Environmental Protection License scheme and the Environmental Impact Assessment scheme under the National Environmental Act are in place. Guidelines for siting of industries have been formulated. Legislation for the implementation of the Load Based Licensing Scheme has been drafted.

Economy

The Ministry of Industries facilitates ISO 14,000 certification for industries. The environmental licensing scheme (EPL) and the EIA process have been introduced for the polluting industries under National Environment Act. Arrangements are being made for implementation of the load based licensing scheme to minimize the discharge of hazardous and other wastes under the EPL System. The National Cleaner Production Center is functioning to reduce the generation of wastes from industries.

Industry

The industrialists make an effort to obtain ISO 14000 Certification and adopt cleaner production approaches. The government as well as the private hospitals are in the process of obtaining the ISO 14000 certification. Industrialists plan to cluster their industries at industrial parks and common waste treatment plants are established in industrial estates.