In a concerted effort to curb illegal plastic and polythene production, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) has initiated a significant crackdown, resulting in legal action against 180 manufacturers in the year 2023 alone.
This crackdown follows a series of 7,146 raids conducted throughout the year, specifically targeting establishments suspected of violating the ban imposed on certain types of plastic and polythene products.
Ajith Wirasundara, the Director General of the CEA’s Waste Management Unit, underscored the extensive scope of the authority’s operations, stating, “Since 2018, the CEB has inspected 37,181 institutions and filed cases against 2,357 of them for violations related to banned plastics.”
The Sri Lankan government, in its ongoing commitment to environmental conservation, has phased in a comprehensive plastic and polythene ban since 2017. In 2023, a further step was taken when the government announced the prohibition of 14 non-biodegradable single-use plastic products in the country.
Sri Lanka has previously banned non-biodegradable plastic bags since 2017, and additional measures include the prohibition of the import of cutlery, cups, and food packaging since 2021.
