British funding to study plastic/polythene waste influx from India

By Ifham Nizam

Environment Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe yesterday said that due to the influx of a large volume of plastic and polythene waste from India into the Kalpitiya and Mannar seas, a formal research would be carried out with the support of the British Government focusing on the micro plastics contained in the seawater in the affected areas.

In that regard, he said that the British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton had assured that the British Government would also provide assistance to carry out the research programme by constructing a laboratory for mangrove conservation and micro plastics at Sumudugama, Anavilundawa.

Dr. Jasinghe said that discussions were also held at the COP 26 conference to focus on the nitrogen levels in the soil of Sri Lanka.

The British government has expressed support for extensive mangrove exploration and construction of a mangrove park in the country.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Secretary Dr. Jasinghe, on Tuesday, had a discussion with the British High Commissioner Ms. Hulton. The discussion focused on the use of Zoom technology, especially the COP 26 – UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) conference to be held in Glasgow later this year.

It would be the largest conference on environmental protection in the world and its main theme this year would be Climate Change said Ms. Hulton. They also exchanged views on issues raised by the Sri Lankan side in particular.

Minister Amaraweera appreciated the support extended by the British Government to the conservation of the environment in Sri Lanka. He also requested for support for the conservation of the country’s endemic mangroves.

The High Commissioner reiterated that the British Government would support the construction of a mangrove research laboratory at Sumudugama, Anavilundawa in Puttalam, and the establishment of a mangrove park in the area to attract tourists as well as researchers.