National Environmental Policy and National Environmental Action Plan (2022-2030) launched

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by PRIYAN DE SILVA

The National Environmental Policy (NEP) and National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) 2022 – 2030 calle the ‘pathway to sustainable development in Sri Lanka’ was launched at the auditorium of the Ministry of Environment on yesterday (19).

Minister of Environment Naseer Ahamed addressing thestakeholders present at the launch said that Sri Lanka had introduced a number of policies, legislations, plans and programmes over the years to address environmental issues. Among others, the National Environmental Policy and Strategy (NEPS) formulated and published by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in 2003 has been the key policy document that guided decisions on environmental issues in Sri Lanka.

The Minister said that as significant changes had taken place nationally and globally affecting our environment after the formulation of NEPS in 2003, the Ministry of Environment recognised the necessity of updating NEPS focusing mainly on land and water resources, biodiversity and eco systems, coastal and marine resources, environmental pollution prevention,  control and waste management,  built environment and green development, climate  change and global environmental challenges,  cross-cutting issues and challenges when formulating the National Environmental Policy. He added that the National Environmental Action Plan (2022-2030) was drawn up in consultation with experts and stakeholders as a sequential process turning policy statements into strategic actions.

Referring to an incident where University of Sabaragamuwa, which was conducting research on Waste Management Policy was accused of  permitting one of its contractors to dump waste near a waterfall the Minister stressed that all government and private institutions, NGO’s, CSO’s and the public should play their part  in implementation of NEP and NEAP. He also requested those present to read both documents and instructed officials to send copies of NEP and NEAP to the University of Sabaragamuwa.

Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the National Environmental Policy and the National Environmental Action Plan had been approved by the cabinet. Dr. Jasinghe quipped that he had second thoughts when signing the cabinet paper as he did not know whether it would be implemented or simply remain as a document.