New environmental laws to suit future

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka said he will bring new environmental laws to change all environmental Acts and Ordinances in Sri Lanka with a view to meet environmental goals in the next 25 years.

The Minister said he will amend the existing Acts and Ordinances on Wildlife and Forest Conservation, which the Environment Ministry has been unable to change for the last seven years.

Legislation pertaining to Geological and Mines Bureau will also be amended, he said. New environmental laws will be introduced to suit the next 25 years, he added.

Minister Ranawaka said the ministry is planing to set up a Green Transport Plan within the next 10 years. It is expected to serve as a strategy to serve as a part solution to the country’s fuel crisis, he said.

The Green Transport Plan will be introduced in partnership with the Ministry of Transport.

He said the Cabinet has approved the programme Green Lanka to be conducted under one institution, which will be run by an advisory board on the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He said, the Ministry of Environment needs to prepare the public to face a future energy crisis. Hence the new legislation will meet future environmental goals.