Sri Lankan authorities are establishing a coordinated enforcement mechanism to combat the widespread practice of openly burning plastic waste, which remains illegal despite a ban since 2017.
The Central Environmental Authority and Sri Lanka Police have announced plans for a nationwide campaign to stop the illegal burning of plastic and polythene waste in residential areas. The initiative follows persistent reports of the practice across the country, despite legal prohibition under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2034/36 of 2017. A committee of three Deputy Inspectors General of Police, working alongside environmental officials, is developing a coordinated framework expected to facilitate systematic inspections, raids and prosecutions against offenders.
Authorities emphasize the health risks associated with burning plastic, with a CEA official warning that the practice releases dangerous pollutants including dioxins, furans and volatile organic compounds that pose particular threats to people living near burning sites. Recent amendments to the National Environmental Act have strengthened penalties for offenders, providing legal backing for the expanded enforcement effort.
CEA Director General Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha acknowledged that enforcement measures alone cannot resolve the issue, noting that many people resort to burning waste due to inadequate waste collection and disposal systems in various parts of the country. He called for a balanced approach combining law enforcement with improvements to municipal waste management infrastructure. A National Steering Committee is currently developing a comprehensive waste management strategy involving the Ministries of Local Government, Environment and Urban Development, with implementation coordinated alongside existing programmes such as Clean Sri Lanka and Pivithuru Purawara.
Authorities have previously faced challenges in prosecuting offenders due to difficulties in detecting incidents and gathering sufficient evidence. Officials are now appealing to the public to report illegal burning incidents to accelerate legal action and support environmental protection efforts.
