Minister of Environment Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella points out that necessary steps should be taken to replace the current National Environment Act with a new environmental act that suits the country.
The National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980 as amended by Acts No. 56 of 1988 and No. 53 of 2000 is currently in force.
Therefore, the Minister says that it is more timely to bring a new Act than to amend the current “National Environmental Act”. He also pointed out that necessary steps can be taken to solve many environmental problems by amending the Act.
Accordingly, the Minister gave instructions to the Central Environment Authority today to speed up the work of bringing a new National Environment Act so as to protect the environment and move towards sustainable development.
The minister said this in a discussion held at the Central Environment Authority to identify the role of the Central Environment Authority.
The importance of looking into the adverse effects on the environment during the construction of housing complexes and taking necessary measures to reduce those effects, rainwater management, renewable energy use, etc., was discussed here.
The minister also said that in an era where the world has started a discourse on the need to protect the environment, we should also focus on every field with a broad vision and work to prepare the basis for a green economy.
