News
Researchers call for an end to burning of plastic, e-waste
‘Some materials contain carcinogens’
By Ifham Nizam
Plastic-coated wires, tyres and electronic waste continue to be burnt countrywide, but no action is taken against the polluters, environmentalists complain.
Researchers of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) have pointed out that plastic is burnt haphazardly, and people are exposed to toxic fumes. Garbage piles, collected by municipalities or local councils, also catch fire causing air pollution, they have said.
“It is clear that the students of Panadura Royal Junior College suddenly fell ill last Wednesday not due to a spontaneous fire,” the research team has said
Nearly 40 children were hospitalised due the inhalation of toxic smoke.
“A teacher of the school told us that six children are currently undergoing treatment at the Panadura Hospital. In a land near the school, plastic wires and tires were set on fire to obtain salable items including copper wires,” the research team added.
CEJ Director and Senior Advisor Hemantha Withanage said that burning of even organic pollutants in the open environment should be avoided under any circumstances.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins and furans are among the toxic chemicals that are usually released into the air when plastic waste is burnt, according to the researchers.
Withanage also said that among the government agencies responsible were the Central Environmental Authority, the Office of the Medical Officer of Health of the area and the Environmental Police Unit.
Regulation No. 1 of 2017 effective under the National Environmental Act prohibits the open burning of garbage and other combustible materials including plastics. It says:
* No person shall allow or permit the open burning of garbage or other combustible materials, including plastics.
* Any person who fails to comply with the above regulations shall be liable to an offence and liable to the following penalties under Section 31 of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980.
The public complains that often municipal garbage collectors refuse to remove inorganic waste unless they are paid for it.
A person found guilty by Magistrate’s Court of the aforesaid offence may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years and/or fined Rs 1,500. E-waste contains very harmful “persistent pollutants”, according to the CEJ researchers.
“These types of plastics contain Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals (EDCs), carcinogens, etc., so we strongly remind you that these should not be burned in the open under any circumstances,” Withanage added.
He also said that indifference towards environmental protection had led to many problems.
“Institutions responsible for preventing environmental pollution should take steps to immediately stop such illegal burning of plastic, etc.,” he stressed.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
