Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-01-13

The Programme for the Management of Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals emitted to the Environment of Sri Lanka

- With the objective of mitigating the harmful effects on environment and human health, by the management of hazardous chemicals and wastes in Sri Lanka, the proposal made by H.E. the President, Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to combine the following four (04) projects and to implement them as a single programme, under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, during the period of 2016 - 2020, while achieving the financial and institutional efficiency and to establish a Project Operations Committee comprising of the representatives of the relevant institutions to direct and monitor the project activities, was approved by the Cabinet.

* The project on management and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyl waste and equipment which contain that chemical, in an eco-friendly manner.

* The project to create background for the ratification of Minamata Convention on Mercury and to take necessary action to achieve the objectives of that Convention.

* he project for the implementation of the Sub-regional Action Plan for the management and mitigation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

* The project for the manufacture and recycling of Lead Acid Batteries in Sri Lanka, in an eco-friendly manner.