Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2017-02-28

Implementation of National Biosafety Framework Project Conforming to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

- The 'Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety' has been adopted by the global community with a view to minimizing and avoiding the risk that may be caused by the genetically modified plants and organisms on the environment and the human health, of which Sri Lanka is also a partner. While minimizing the risk which may be caused through biodiversity technology to human health and environment and at the same time deriving maximum benefits out of it to Sri Lanka, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement a National Biosafety Framework Project within the period from 2017 to 2020, utilizing the financial grant of US$2.36 Million, agreed to be provided by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), was approved by the Cabinet.