Co-cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms, Gayantha Karunathilake stated that the Prime Minister had appointed a committee to review the implementation of the upcoming polythene ban,

Upon an inquiry made by Ada Derana, Minister Karunathilake mentioned today (24) that the Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce would be presiding over the committee. The Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and several others constitute the committee, he said.

However, he clarified yesterday (23) during the media briefing on cabinet decisions that there would be no change in the decision to implement the ban from September 01 onwards.

Speaking at the media briefing, he further stated that the meting out of punishments for those who violate the ban would be formally enforced in January 2018. According to the Minister, the Government will follow a lenient policy in the handling of perpetrators until the strict enforcement of punishments in 2018.

The recommendations from the committee are due to be presented in early 2018 too, according to the Minister.

Concerns of polythene manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders will reportedly be taken into consideration by the Premier-appointed committee.

The announcement regarding the cabinet’s approval of the proposal to ban the use, sale and production of polythene of 20 microns or less, Styrofoam, lunch sheets and shopping bags was made on July 12.

The ban will come into effect on September 01.

According to President Maithripala Sirisena, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will be responsible for the proper and speedy implementation of said ban.

The cabinet paper was submitted by President Maithripala Sirisena and the Central Environment Authority (CEA).

Short term measures

• Prohibition of polythene use for decorations in all events

• Implement the prevailing regulations for prohibition of use, sale and production of polythene equals or less than 20 microns.

• Allow use of polythene less than 20 microns for essential activities only on the approval of Central Environmental Authority

• Prohibition of sale, importation and production of lunch sheets

• Prohibition of sale, importation and production of containers, plates, cups, spoons made using polystyrene

• Prohibition of sale of processed or cooked meals packed in polythene containers

• Promotion of providing paper, cloth or reed bags or biologically degradable plastics for customers when purchasing items in stores

• Prohibition of burning polythene and plastic in open places

• Introduction and promotion of biologically degradable polythene and plastics

Medium term measures

• Provision of tax concessions in importation of machinery used in biologically degradable plastic productions

• Imposing a cess tax of 15% on importation of plastic row material and goods

Long term measures

• Complete prohibition of recycled plastic products

Issuing an announcement to the media, the CEA stated on July 12 that the use, production, import and sale of lunch sheets would accordingly be banned under the new regulation.

The use, production, import and sale of Styrofoam (commonly known as Rigifoam) used as a food packaging material will also be banned.

The CEA added that the burning of plastic and polythene in open areas would also be prohibited.

Further, shopping bags will be replaced with reusable cloth bags under the new law.

The new law was introduced in an effort to reduce environmental damage brought about by the use of non biodegradable plastic and polythene items.

Deputy Minister of Environment and Mahaweli, Anuradha Jayaratne stated on the same day that legal action would be initiated against individuals, institutions and factories that fail to comply with the decision from September 01, and that raids would be carried out on a district level to monitor this.

He also stated that the intention of the government was to eliminate the harm caused by polythene to the environment by mid 2018.

President Maithripala Sirisena reaffirmed on August 16 that there would be no change on the policy decision taken by the government to ban polythene and plastics.

He stated that the polythene ban would be implemented similar to the way the government performs the ban of asbestos and tobacco.

However, on August 21, the All Ceylon Polythene Producers and Recyclers’ Association staged a protest against this ban in front of the People’s Park Shopping Complex in Colombo.