Lunch Sheet / Rigifoam Box, Polythene and Small Water Bottles Ban From 2017?

An expert committee was appointed on a cabinet paper submitted by the President on the above matter. On recommendations made by this committee the current ban on materials, which has less than 20 micron will be increased to 40 micron. These recommendations have been submitted to the President for his observations and approval.

Prior to implement this, manufacturers and people will be given a grace period of 6 to 7 months to get used to this new regulation. In the past, 1000 raids were made and legal action was taken against 500 personnel who violated existing regulations.  Further, import of polythene which is less than 20 micron is completely banned. Raids are being made against manufactures and sellers of such materials.

In addition, Central Environmental Authority has decided to measure the smoke put out from electric power generating plants and big factories. Regulations governing smoke control will be gazetted in the mid of next year 2017. To measure smoke, 30 million worth of equipment had already been given to the Central Environmental Authority.

In the country more than 200 factories are operating.  If the smoke content is beyond the limits specified, the Central Environmental Authority will file action against them, said the Director General, Central Environmental Authority K.H.Muthukudarachchi.