Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the upcoming 2027 Budget will place priority on waste management, waste reduction and recycling, emphasizing that what should be left for future generations is not contaminated soil or seas filled with plastic, but a clean and green environment where they can breathe freely and live healthy lives.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd International Conference on “Plastic, Innovation and Environmental Sustainability”, organized by the Open University of Sri Lanka, held today (30) at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo, the PM’ s Office said.
Held under the theme “Eco-Friendly Innovations,” the conference focused on minimizing environmental damage caused by plastic waste, introducing environmentally friendly alternatives, developing circular economy models and promoting sustainable waste management.
Addressing the conference, the Prime Minister further pointed out that plastic pollution is not merely an environmental issue, but a global challenge directly linked to the climate crisis, the statement said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the uncontrolled accumulation and disposal of waste poses a serious threat to both public life and the environment, and that the destruction of natural resources in the name of economic development cannot be considered meaningful development.
The Prime Minister stated that several major projects are planned to be implemented under the Clean Sri Lanka national programme, including the “Pivithuru Purawara” National Waste Management Project, which will be implemented during the 2027–2029 period at a cost of Rs. 34 billion, the statement said.
The Prime Minister further stated that the project aims to minimize the disposal of non-biodegradable waste, including plastic, into the environment, while expanding recycling and compost production.
She also emphasized that laws and regulations alone are insufficient to ensure environmental protection, and that a sense of responsibility towards the environment must be cultivated through the education system itself, it said.
The Prime Minister also stated that steps are being taken through the new education reforms to practically integrate environmental education, plastic and waste management, and circular economy concepts into the school curriculum. She added that the “Green Schools” concept will be promoted at school level, encouraging children to adopt “Zero Waste” practices from an early age.
In addition, the Prime Minister called on universities and researchers to adopt an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together fields such as engineering and social sciences, in order to develop practical and innovative solutions to these challenges, the statement added.
