i

PROGRESS REPORT 2011

and

ACTION PLAN 2012

Ministry of Environment

ii

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, M. P.

Minister of Environment

Hon. Al Haj. A R M Abdul Cader, M. P.

Deputy Minister of Environment

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE MINISTRY

Dr. R H S Samaratunga Secretary to the Ministry of Environment

Mr. R A R R Rupasinghe

Additional Secretary (Administration and Promotion)

Mr. N K G K Nammawatta Additional Secretary (Natural Resources)

Mr. Gamini Gamage

Additional Secretary (Environment and Policy)

Mr. Hemal Kasthuriarachchi Senior Assistant Secretary

Mr.G B E Tudor Silva

Chief Accountant

Mr. D P Wimalasena Chief Internal Auditor

iii

Heads of Divisions

Establishment Division

Ms. U P L D Pathirana - Director

Policy and Planning Division

Mr. Ajith Silva - Director

Biodiversity Division

Mr. Ajith Silva - Actg Director

Air Resource Management and International Affairs Division

Mr. Anura Jayathilake - Director

Sustainable Development Division

Dr. R D S Jayathunga - Director

Climate Change Division

Dr. R D S Jayathunga - Actg Director

Natural Resource Management Division

Mr. L K S U Dharmakeerthi - Director

Environment Education and Promotion Division

Mr. G M J K Gunawardana - Director

Legal Division

Ms. Lumbini Kiriella - Legal Officer

iv

Heads of Agencies

Forest Department

Mr. H M P Hitisekara - Conservator General of Forests

Central Environmental Authority

Mr. Charitha Herath - Chairman Mrs. R R Ellepola - Director General

Marine Environment Protection Authority

Mr. R S Ariyapperuma - Chairman Rear Admiral S R Samarathunga - General Manager

National Gem & Jewellery Authority

Gen. Rohan Daluwatte - Chairman Mr.W H M Nimal Bandara - Director General

State Timber Corporation

Mr. S Amarasinghe - Chairman Mr. P G Kumarasingha - General Manager

Geological Survey & Mines Bureau

Dr. N P Wijayananda - Chairman Mr. B A Peiris - Director General Gem & Jewellery Research & Training Institute

Mr. Fizal Razeen - Chairman Mr. Tilak Dharmaratne - Director General

v

VISION

A healthy and pleasant environment

sustaining nature for the wellbeing of the

people and the economy

MISSSION

Provide leadership to manage the

environment and natural resources in order

to ensure national commitment for

sustainable development for the benefit of

the present and future generations

vi

Message from the Hon. Minister of Environment

It gives me a great pleasure to present this report titled ‘ Progress Report 2011 and

Action Plan 2012’ at the committee stage of the Budget - 2012 on activities relating to

the Ministry of Environment. It describes the services rendered to conserve and

safeguard the environment and natural resources of Sri Lanka during the last year by the

Ministry and the establishments under it.

The attention of the world has been drawn to the natural disasters faced by all the

countries in the recent past. The main factor behind them has been identified as global

warming. In the race to achieve industrial development, countries tried only to

overcome one another and hence did not give due attention to environmental concerns.

The result of this was the over-exploitation of natural resources and the pollution of air,

water and soil that have resulted in a breakdown of the essential processes of the earth.

The world started paying attention to the nation only when hundreds of thousands of

people lost their lives due to calamities such as hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, droughts

and earth slips, etc.

Activities of the Ministry of Environment are based on policies aiming at conserving and

preserving the environment locally and globally for the present and future generations.

As mentioned in the Mahinda Chintana – Vision for the Future, the Ministry of

Environment has started to formulate policies, strategies and programmes in respect of

environment protection and management and implement such policies and

programmes through a strategic approach.

During this period the Ministry was able to formulate a National Climate Change

Adaptation Strategy based on five sector vulnerability profiles to address climate change

adaptation to ensure that the country’s economic development process to continue

without disruption or setbacks, and investments in poverty reduction, food and water

security and public health will not be undone. The absence of a national overarching

policy on climate change is a major barrier in the country in implementing activities

relating to climate change in Sri Lanka. In view of overcoming this issue, the Ministry has

prepared National Climate Change Policy aiming at adaptation to and mitigation of

climate change impacts within the framework of sustainable development.

Collaborative action at all levels is an imperative to transform this policy into meaningful

action and achieve the expected outcomes.

While socio-economic development is of utmost importance, it is equally necessary that

we protect our natural resources, safeguard the environment and are prudent in the use

of the assets that the nature has bestowed upon our land. This requires emphasis on

sustainable development by the judicious use of resources today which will protect and

even enhance them for the future. With this commitment, National Action Plan for

Haritha Lanka Programme was launched by the Ministry in the year 2009. Recognizing

vii

the gaps of implementation process of this programme, the Ministry has taken

initiatives to revisit it in order to ensure the sustainable development of the country.

The “Deyata Sevana” National Tree Planting Programme by planting 11,00,000 trees

island wide was launched in the year 2010 with a view to extend the nations’ salutation

and gratitude to His Excellency the President for bringing freedom for the whole nation

after a 30 years war. This national programme highlights the commitment towards a

“Green Country” theme outlined in the Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future

policy of Government. Inadequate forest cover of the hill tops in the country poses a

threat to the economy because Sri Lanka is an agricultural economy while considerable

portion of electricity comes through hydroelectricity. Although, Sri Lanka is fortunate to

have rain from monsoons, dry weather flow is affected due to inadequate tree cover in

hilly areas. Necessary steps have been taken to restore the vegetation cover on

degraded hilly areas by applying suitable technical methods.

The urban solid waste management programme which was launched with the objective

of creating a country free from garbage by 2012 is being implemented progressively to

minimization of urban solid waste. An Integrated Strategic Environment Assessment for

the Northern Province was carried out by the Ministry and Central Environmental

Authority with active participation of all other relevant agencies to develop an

opportunity map for the rapid development activities in the province after ending of 30

years conflict.

In addition, as the National Focal Point for major environment and sustainable

development related international conventions in Sri Lanka , the Ministry of

Environment participated in several international conferences. The Ministry of

Environment had facilitated to host 12th SACEP Governing Council Meeting on 1st -3rd

November 2010, Regional Workshop on Stockholm & Rotterdam Conventions (CRC-

POPRC), 19th -21st January 2011, 16th Inter-Governmental Meeting(IGM)/Scientific

Planning Group (SPG) Meeting and associated Committee Meetings-(APN), 4th -9th April

2011 and 5th GEF South Asia Constituency Meeting on 16th -17th May 2011 in Sri Lanka

in order to strengthen the regional partnership.

I hope that the Ministry of Environment together with the agencies functioning under

the Ministry can continue and enhance its work to facilitate sustainable development of

the country for the benefit of present and future generation.

Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, M.P. Minister of Environment

viii

Message from the

Hon. Deputy Minister of Environment

As the Deputy Minister of Environment, I am very much pleased to issue a message for the

publication of “ Progress Report 2011 and Action Plan 2012” which is prepared to present at the

committee stage of the budget discussion in the year 2012.

The country’s development policy framework “ Mahinda Chintana – Vision for the Future” has

clearly indicated the guidelines in preparation of all policies to achieve its goals for sustainable

development. In line with this national policy framework, several important projects and

programmes have been implemented during this period by the Ministry of Environment and the

agencies under its purview to address the key challenges in the field of environment and natural

resources in Sri Lanka. Also, the Ministry of Environment is now in the process of updating its

National Environment Policy and Strategy which is called “Haritha Lanka” programme to align it

with “Mahinda Chintana – Vision for the Future”

The designated functions of the Ministry are not confined to deal only with national and local

needs. We have been working with global partners by way of meeting Sri Lanka’s obligations

and commitments towards international conventions to which Sri Lanka has been a signatory.

I invite all of you to work in dedication to create a new Sri Lanka by rendering massive service

for the benefit of people and environment under the guidance of Hon. Anura Priyadarshana

Yapa, Minister of Environment and under the leadership of His Excellency, Mahinda Rajapaksha,

President of Sri Lanka.

Al Haj A R M Abdul Cader, M.P. Deputy Minister of Environment

ix

Preamble

It is a responsibility of all government agencies to submit an annual report on the

progress achieved by the respective agencies during the current year to the committee

stage of the next year budget discussion at the Parliament. The Ministry of Environment

as a major policy making body in respect of environment management and natural

resource conservation presents this report named “ Progress Report 2011 and Action

Plan 2012” for that purpose. The Ministry of Environment intends to present this annual

report in a novel way. The objective of preparing a this report is to present the state of

environment in addition to present the current year progress and the next year Action

Plan.

The whole report consists of two major parts, Part I and Part II. Part I of the report

includes ten chapters which provides some information and analysis on ten Missions of

the National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme. All partner agencies of the

Haritha Lanka Programme have implemented their programmes realizing the “Mahinda

Chintana- Vision for the Future” which is the National Development Policy Framework of

the country. The information of Part I was basically collected from the various reports

launched by various institutions.

Part II of the report with two chapters provides data and information about the

performance of the Ministry and agencies under its purview during the period from July

2010 to June 2011 and a summery on programme of action for the year 2012. This part

indicates an account of the achievements in respect of environment management and

natural resource conservation in different parts of the island under various projects

carried out during the period under preview. It is very clearly recognized that there is a

lack of environment database in the country. Hence, at the end of the report an

appendix on some statistics of environment and natural resources is provided and it is

expected to improve these statistics further annually.

x

CONTENTS

Major Functions of the Ministry of Environment

Functional Divisions of the Ministry of Environment

Agencies of the Ministry of Environment

PART I

Page

Chapter 1 Clean Air – Everywhere 02

Chapter 2 Saving the Fauna, Flora and Ecosystems 10

Chapter 3 Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change 18

Chapter 4 Wise Use of the Coastal Resources and Sea Around 25

Chapter 5 Responsible Use of the Land Resources 33

Chapter 6 Doing Away with the Dumps 41

Chapter 7 Water for All and Always 51

Chapter 8 Green Cities for Health and Prosperity 60

Chapter 9 Greening the industries 67

Chapter 10 Knowledge for Right Choice 75

PART II

Chapter 11 Major Achievements of the Ministry and Action Plan 2012

Policy Formulation Planning and Monitoring 83

Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation 90

Prevention, Mitigation and Control of Pollution and

Environmental Damage 93

Environment Education, Training and Awareness 98

International Cooperation 103

Chapter 12 Achievements of the agencies of the Ministry and Action Plan 2012

Forest Department 110

Central Environmental Authority 116

Marine Environment Protection Authority 138

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau 145

State Timber Corporation 152

National Gem and Jewelry Authority 156

Gem and Jewelry Research and Training Institute 163

Appendix Environment and Natural Resource Statistics 172

xi

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1.1 - Emission Regulations 7

Table 2.1 - Summary of Threatened Inland Indigenous Invertebrate 12

Fauna in Sri Lanka

Table 2.2 - Endangered and Threatened Species Worldwide 14

Table 2.3 - Faunal and Floral species diversity in Sri Lanka 15

Table 2.4 - Living Species by Taxonomic Group 17

Table 3.1 - Impacts of Climate Change 19

Table 3.2 - Coefficient of Variation of Seasonal Rainfall in Sri Lanka 22

Table 4.1 - Implementation of Demolishing Orders 28

Table 5.1 - General Statistics -2010 34

Table 5.2 - Impacts on Land Changes 36

Table 5.3 - Extent of Natural Forest – 2010 38

Table 6.1 - Composition of Municipal Solid Waste collection in Sri

Lanka 42

Table 6.2 - Advantages/Disadvantage of Waste Disposal Methods 46

Table 7.1 - Distribution of Water Resources 51

Table 7.2 - Key Agencies Involved to Irrigation and Drinking Water

Management 54

Table 8.1 - Standards of the Parks 63

Table 8.2 - Dengue Fever Incidence 64

Table 12.1 - Declared and to be Declared EPAs 120

Table 12.2 - Water Quality Monitoring 123

Table 12.3 - Environmental Impact Assessment Projects 126

Table 12.4 - Environment Protection Licensing Scheme 128

Table 12.5 – School Pioneer Awards 130

Table 12.6 - Performance of the Legal Enforcement 131

Table 12.7 - Market Opportunities for Gem and Jewellery 158

xii

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1.1 - Annual Vehicle Registration 3

Figure 1.2 - Power generation in Sri Lanka 5

Figure 1.3 - Annual Averages of PM-10 at Colombo Fort 9

Figure 3.1 - Change in Mean Annual Temperature in Sri Lanka

1930 to 2000 22

Figure 4.1 - Administrative Boundary of Coastal Area 25

Figure 4.2 - Thematic Analysis of small grant projects 30

Figure 5.1 - Land use Pattern within Agricultural Holdings 35

Figure 5.2 - Per Capita Land Availability 35

Figure 5.3 - Declining of Forest Cover 38

Figure 12.1 - Kalu Ganga Gemming Area 166

xiii

ABBREVIATIONS

ADPC - Asian Disaster Preparedness Center AirMAC - Air Resource Management Centre AML - Artisanal Mining License ANR - Assisted Natural Regeneration APN - Asia Pacific Network BAQ - Better Air Quality BOI - Board of Investment CAPP - Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness programme CBO - Community Based Organization CCS - Climate Change Secretariat CDM - Clean Development Mechanism CEA - Central Environmental Authority CEB - Ceylon Electricity Board CECB - Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau CEOs - Chief Executive Officers CII - Confederation of Indian Industry CMR - Colombo Metropolitan Region Cr - Chromium DA - Designated Authority DHS - Demographic and Health Survey DMC - National Disaster Management Center DMT - Department of Motor Traffic DO - Dissolved Oxygen DR - Deposit Refund DS - Divisional Secretariat ECL - Environmental Conservation Levy EEZ - Exclusive Economic Zone EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EL - Exploration Licences EPAs - Environmental Protection Areas EPL - Environment Protection License ESM - Environmental Sound Management FD - Forest Department FO - Forest Ordinance GDP - Gross Domestic Products GJRTI - Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute GLASOD - Global Assessment of Soil Degradation GNP - Gross National Production GOSL - Government of Sri Lanka GSMB - Geological Survey and Mines Bureau GSSL - Geological Society of Sri Lanka IEE - Initial Environmental Examination IGM - Inter-Governmental Meeting IML - Industrial Mining License ITI - Industrial Technology Institute

xiv

LEI&CDP - Lunawa Environment Improvement and Community Development Project LRC - Land Reform Commission MAB - Man and Biosphere reserves MCED - Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development MEA - Multilateral Environment Agreements MEPA - Marine Environment Protection Authority MFF - Mangroves for the Future NARA - National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency NBRO - National Building and Research Organization NCC - National Coordinating Committee NEA - National Environmental Act NEP - National Environmental Policy NGIA - National Gem and Jewerllary Authority NGOs - Non Governmental Organizations NOSCP - National Oil Spill Contingency Plan NOU - National Ozone Unit NVQ - National vocational Qualified stranded ODSs - Ozone Deleted substances PA - Protected Area PAAs - Project Approving Agencies Pb - Lead PM - Particulate Matter POPs - Persistent Organic Pollution PPM - Parts Per Million REDD - Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACEP - South Asian Corporative Environment Programme SAICM - Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management SAM - Special Area Management SEA - Strategic Environmental Assessment SEEA - System of Environmental and Economic Accounting SLCF - Sri Lanka Carbon Fund SPG - Scientific Planning Group STP - Sustainable Township Programme SVP - Sector Vulnerable Profiles TDL - Trading License TPL - Transport License UDA - Urban Development Authority UN - United Nation UNCED - United Nations Conference on Environment and Development UNESCO - United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNFCCC - United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change VET - Vehicle Emission Testing WEEE - Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipments

xv

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTRY

Identification /analysis of problems in environment and natural resources sector through stakeholder consultation to enable policy formulation.

Development of environment and natural resources policies, policy dissemination and ensuring implementation.

Undertake Strategic Impact Assessment of environment and natural resources related policies.

Take measures to ensure harmonization of environmental policies with other sector policies so that environmental sustainability is ensured in development process.

Take measures to ensure compliance with international commitments arising out of MEAs for which Sri Lanka is party.

Development of strategies, master plans and action plans to implement the environment and natural resources related policies.

Execute pilot projects related to new sector policy initiatives.

Develop and formalize environment and natural resources sector wide monitoring system, comply with monitoring requirements, reporting and take remedial actions.

Carry out policy research, analysis and dissemination of results of policy implementation and evaluation to the general public.

Create enabling environment for public and political commitment towards sound environmental management.

Create environmental education and awareness at national level in relation to the environment and natural resources policy reforms and other major environmental initiatives.

Capacity building for environment and natural resources related policy implementers and other stakeholders.

xvi

FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

Functions and responsibilities of the Ministry are shared among eleven functional Divisions, namely;

Natural Resources Management Division (NRMD) mainly focuses on the formulation of natural resources related policies and coordination of their implementation

Biodiversity Division (BD) provides policy directions towards conservation of biodiversity

Sustainable Development Division (SDD) Facilitates the implementation of the National Sustainable Development Strategy and function as a Secretariat for National Sustainable Development Council which will be chaired by H.E the President.

Policy and Planning Division (PPD) facilitates the implementation of the National Environmental Policy through policy and planning efforts with partners in environmental and natural resources management.

Air Resources Management and International Relations Division (ARM&IRD) provides directions in addressing issues pertaining to air quality and international environmental affairs.

Climate Change Division (CCD) provides directions in addressing issues pertaining to climate change.

Promotion and Environmental Education Division (P&EED) creates necessary awareness on environment and natural resources management issues so that participation can be obtained at all levels

Human Resources Development Division (HRDD) develops human resources in the Ministry and its agencies in order to build the necessary capacity for environment management.

Sustainable Environment Division (SED) provides the policy directives and support to implement the special environmental management and natural resources conservation projects undertaken by the Ministry

Legal Division (LD) provides the necessary legal support to the Ministry and also to the line agencies to achieve their mandate in environmental management in the country.

Finance Division (FD) and the Administrative Division (AD) provide support services in financial, institutional and administrative matters to assist the Ministry and its agencies in performing their roles effectively.

xvii

AGENCIES COMING UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE MINISTRY OF

ENVIRONMNET

Forest Department

Central Environmental Authority

Marine Environment Protection Authority

State Timber Corporation

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

National Gem & Jewellery Authority

Gem & Jewellery Research & Training Institute

1

PART I

2

Chapter 1

Clean Air Every Where

Air is an essential basic need of all of living beings. Since air is abundantly available, in

the past it was not treated as a resource in the same manner as land and water.

However, air pollution has now been identified as a growing problem in Sri Lanka as in

most other countries in the world.

Should we care about............?

Air pollution occurs when air contains substances in quantities that could harm the comfort

or health of humans and animals, or could damage plants or materials. Air pollution can be

defined as natural or artificial introduction of chemicals, particulates, or biological materials

into the atmosphere that cause harm

or discomfort to humans or other

living organisms, or damage the

environment, i.e. natural or human-

induced emissions that degrade the

quality of the atmosphere. Air is the

life of all living creatures.

Deterioration of the human health by poor air quality indirectly affects productivity of

people and hence national economic growth. Air pollutants affect primarily the respiratory

system, and may affect skin, eyes, and other body systems. Both gases and particulate air

pollutants can have negative effects on the lungs. Respiratory diseases are the second

most leading cause of hospitalization in Sri Lanka (Annual Health Bulletin). Apart from

health effects, there are many effects of air pollution. These include the effects on

vegetations, soil, water, man-made materials, climate and visibility (formation of smog).

Unlike in many of its Asian neighbors, Sri Lanka is fortunate that it has not yet experienced

acute air quality problems as a result of industrial expansion, increasing vehicular traffic and

thermal power generation and rapid urbanization. Emissions from motor vehicles which

contribute around 55-60 percent of total emissions and it is the most significant contributor

3

to air pollution in Sri-Lanka. Other emission sources are emissions from industries around

20-25 percent and household emissions which is around 20 percent.

The transport sector accounts for about 60 percent total fuel consumption in Sri Lanka. The

Western Province in Sri Lanka (area including the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and

Gampaha) commonly refers to Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) was identified as an

area of higher air pollution. Kandy town area, Galle, Kurunegala, and Puttlam have also

been identified as other relatively higher air pollution areas in Sri Lanka.

Key drivers and pressures

Transport Sector Figure 1.1: Annual Vehicle Registration

Vehicles are been identified as

the primary emitter of air

pollutions in the urban areas of

Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, air

pollution problem in the

transport sector causes due to

the following reasons along

with sharp increase of vehicle

population.

Poor maintenance of vehicles increases the air pollution by air-borne particles from

diesel vehicles and carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds from petrol

vehicles.

High traffic congestion because of not having a proper road network, traffic control

system and poor maintenance of roads (especially in urban areas).

Absence of a proper and well-planned public transport system (example, engines of

most of the passenger transport buses are kept running and idling at the bus stops).

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Veh

icle

Po

pu

lati

on

Year

Motor Cycles

Motor Cars

Three Wheelers

Dual Purpose

Buses

Lorries

Land Vehicles

4

Industrial Sector

Within the last decade, industrial activities in Sri

Lanka have grown at a relatively rapid pace. Air

pollution due to industrial sources has increased

in proportion to industrial expansion. Air

pollution problem arises in Sri Lanka from

industrial activities mainly due to unavailability

of air pollution control measures and

disregarding of environmental concerns at the planning stage. Although Sri Lanka does

not have a lot of heavy industries as in other countries, it has a large number of small

and medium-scale enterprises interspersed with residential areas. Most industries,

which were established prior to 1980's use outdated technology without proper

pollution control measures being incorporated.

Commonly used fuels in the Industrial sector include electricity, furnace oil, diesel, and

firewood. Emission of Carbon dioxide occurs in various industrial processes including

cement and lime manufacture, petroleum refining and handling and activated carbon

manufacture. Therefore the air pollutants from industries can be categorized into two

types -emissions associated with processing of raw materials (eg cement dust, lead

particulates from lead smelting furnaces, acid fumes and mist from acid processing

plants) and emissions from energy generation processes (i.e. in furnaces and boilers).

While urban industries are mostly confined to fossil fuel, agro-industry and certain

manufacturing industries in rural areas mostly use biomass based sources of energy.

Indoor Air Pollution

The use of biomass for cooking in poorly

ventilated kitchens continues to be a major factor

in indoor air pollution. Majority of Sri Lankan

households, main energy resource for cooking is

biomass fuel and it is the major source of Indoor Air

Pollution. Firewood is the predominant biomass fuel,

used by more than 78percent of households nationwide, as measured by the Demographic and

5

Health Survey (DHS) in 2000 and 2007). Animal dung and crop residue serve as alternative fuel

sources. In 2007, 34percent of the population in urban areas, 84percent of the rural population,

and 96percent of the estate population used firewood as their primary fuel source. More than

80percent of Sri Lankan households have electricity, but it is only used for lighting due to cost.

Combustion of biomass fuels for cooking produces a range of substances harmful to human

health, including particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, formaldehyde,

and polycyclic organic matter, which includes such carcinogens as benzopyrene. Exposure to

indoor air pollution from solid fuels has been linked to acute and chronic diseases, such as

pneumonia, acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, cataracts,

and adverse perinatal health outcomes indoor air pollution also is suspected to be responsible

for a range of cancers from long-term exposures.

Power Plants Figure 1.2: Power Generation in Sri-Lanka

Source: Sri Lanka Socio-Economic Data 2011, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Furnace and diesel used for thermal power generation in Sri Lanka and emissions from

thermal power generation significantly contribute to air pollution. The fuel mix for

electricity generation in the country has undergone a very dramatic change. Over the 95

percent of the country’s electricity requirements in 1995 were obtained from

hydroelectric schemes. The scenario has rapidly changed during the last decade due to

increasing demand and limited hydropower resources. Thermal power plants have

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Year

Hydro 3450 4635 3947 4128 3881 5636

Thermal & Other 5316 4753 5866 5772 6000 5078

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Un

its

Ge

ne

rate

d (

GW

h)

6

taken over the generation of around 40-50 percent of the national electricity

requirement.

In Sri Lanka, in addition to the above-mentioned air pollution sources, emissions from

slash and burn (chena) cultivation and forest fires also contribute to air pollution to

some extent. However this problem has been on the decline.

Responses at the National Level

Air Pollution Control Regulations in Sri Lanka

The National Environmental Act (NEA) No 47 of 1980 (amended in 1988 and 2000) was

enacted primarily focusing on environmental protection and management. The emission

of pollutants into the atmosphere is prohibited under section 23 of the National

Environmental Act and the National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Regulations

of 1990.

Motor Traffic (emission control) Regulation Number 817/6 dated 3rd May 1994.

Ozone Depleting substances and National Environmental (Ambient Air Quality) Regulations 1994. Gazette Notification Number 850/4 dated 20th December 1994.

Amended Regulations (Air Emission, Fuel and Vehicle Importation standards) Gazette Notification Number 1137/35 dated 23rd June 2000.

Amendment to Gazette Notification Number 1295/11 dated 30th June 2003.

National Environmental (Air Emissions, Fuel & Vehicle Importation standards) Amended Regulations. Gazette Notification Number 1295/11 dated 30th June 2003.

Extra Ordinary Gazette No 1557/14 dated

09th July 2008.

National Environmental (Ambient Air Quality) Regulations 850/4 dated 20.12.1994 is

amended by extra ordinary Gazette No 1562/22 dated 15.08..2008.

National Action Plan for

Haritha Lanka Programme -

Strategies

1. Develop environmentally

viable transport and

infrastructure systems.

2. Shift towards cleaner fuels.

3. Prepare and maintain

emissions inventory.

4. Monitor emissions of power

plants and high polluting

industries.

5. Monitor & reduce vehicle

emissions.

6. Establish a system for the

surveillance of ambient air

quality.

7. Manage indoor air pollution

through technical and social

interventions.

7

Table 1.1 : Emission Regulations

It should be noted that, it is mandatory to control source emissions as well as non

source emissions in Sri Lanka. As a strategy for source emission control, Central

Environmental Authority (CEA) is in the process of formulating Source Emission

Standards.

Preparation of policy related to the air

pollution as

o National Policy on Air Quality

Management -2000

o Energy Policy of Sri Lanka - 1997

o National Transport Policy - 2008

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

regulation of 1993 ensures that any new

project undertaken under the prescribed list

undergoes a complete EIA or an Initial

Environmental Examination (IEE) before a license is issued for implementation.

EMISSION REGULATIONS As per the Gazette No. 1557/ 14, dated 09

July 2008 the followings are the emission regulations which

are coming under the National Environmental Act No.47 of 1980 for Air Emission, Fuel and Vehicle Importation Standards for both Petrol and Diesel Vehicles.

a) Petrol Vehicles

With effect from 1

st April 2008

Remarks

Carbon monoxide

CO % v/v

Hydrocarbon HC

(PPM v/v)

Petrol Vehicles other than motor

cycles and motor tricycles

4.5 1200 Both idling and 2500

RPM no load

Motor Cycles

Motor Tricycles (Three Wheelers)

6 9000 Both idling and 2500

RPM no load

b) Diesel Vehicles

Type of Vehicles Smoke opacity on snap acceleration, k factor (1 m

-1)

Diesel Vehicles 8.0

Air Quality Management

Public transport and related infrastructure systems will be improved using green technologies. Cleaner fuels will be promoted to reduce health hazards.

An environmentally friendly transport system will be established throughout the country with the improvement of vehicle emission standards.

Mahinda Chintana – p158

Mahinda Chintana – 2005 p156

8

Clean Air 2000 Action Plan in 1997 was introduced to restore the gradually

deteriorating air quality of

Colombo Metropolitan Area

through various control

measures and Clean Air 2015

Action Plan in 2007 was

introduced to reduce air

pollution related diseases by maintaining air quality at desirable levels minimising

emission of harmful air pollutants resulting from all human activities.

The Air Resource Management Centre (AirMAC) was established in 2001 jointly by the

then Ministry of Forestry and Environment and the Central Environmental Authority in

partnership with all stakeholders of air resource management to develop, co-ordinate

and integrate programs and mechanisms to mitigate air pollution. It also included

strengthening institutions, capacity building, developing air resource research

programmes and establishing air resource information centre for dissemination of air

resource information.

Implementation of Vehicle Emission Standards through "Vehicle Emission Testing (VET)

Programme" to make operate cleaner vehicles, reduced levels of vehicle emissions and

thereby improve ambient air quality, reduce health risk and improve living conditions. It

was mandated for all the vehicles of the country to have VET Certificate to obtain

annual revenue license. At present the program is implemented in all provinces other

than Northern and Eastern provinces. The implementing agency of the program is the

Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) and the Monitoring and Evaluation is coordinated

by the AirMAC of the Ministry of Environment.

Under this VET programme the "Vehicle Emission Test Fund' was established to credit

income received by the Department of Motor Traffic from vehicle emission testing and

all other income resources related to the vehicle emission testing and to incur

expenditure for the VET programme administration, infrastructure, machines and

equipment, capacity building, research, development, training, awareness and skill

development of all the stake holders and allied activities.

9

Introduction of unleaded gasoline from 2003 to stop emission of particulate lead into

the atmosphere from gasoline powered vehicles.

During the period 2001-2005 actions were taken to provide low sulfur diesel to minimize

the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission to atmosphere from diesel vehicles, diesel power

plants and industries using auto diesel. In this regard the Sulfur content in diesel was

reduced from 15000 PPM to 3000 PPM. It is further envisaged to further reduce sulfur

content in diesel to 500 PPM within next couple of years.

The government has banned the import of two stroke three wheelers with effect from

January 2008.

Figure 1.3: Annual Averages of PM-10 at Colombo Fort

There is only one air quality

monitoring station, located at

the Colombo Fort. This

station has monitored

ambient air quality on a

continuous basis since 1997.

It has shown that the average

annual ambient PM10 levels

in Colombo have remained relatively stable, ranging from 69 to 82 μg/m3, which is

above the maximum permissible level specified in the national ambient air quality

standard of 50 μg/m3. Further, the annual average PM10 concentration in 2009

showed a marked decrease from 70 μg/m3 to 60 μg/m3 and 64 μg/m3 in 2010.

10

Chapter 2

Saving the Fauna, Flora and Ecosystems

Sri Lanka is blessed with a rich biological diversity and has been identified as one of the

top 34 biological hotspots in the world. Biodiversity is getting eroded at a rapid pace at

present and it is well recognized that the current loss of biodiversity is a result of both

direct and indirect influences, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, deforestation,

encroachment, excess use of agro-chemicals, climate change impacts etc…. The

percentage forest cover, which is the major biodiversity indicator of the country, has

been shrinking 1.86 to 0.27(average annual depletion) in 1992 and 2010. Encroachment

of forest land, a causal factor that determines the trend of deforestation, is also another

major constraint. On species conservation, the most crucial information recorded in the

recent past is the extinction of 19 endemic amphibians. Wild elephants is an umbrella

species. Therefore if measures have been taken to conserve wild elephants, the same

effort automatically have the way to conserve other species as well. Therefore country’s

wild elephants will be very important in Biodiversity conservation. But currently many

measures have aggravated the human elephant conflict and accordingly Department of

Wildlife Conservation statistic, it had lost 131 human lives and 227 elephants in Sri

Lanka in the year 2010.

Today the country’s biodiversity is endangered due to various threats. Therefore the

Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry has taken steps to conserve threatened plant

and animal species through in-situ and ex-situ conservation as on the Biodiversity

Conservation Action Plan and the updated Red Data List of Threatened Fauna and Flora

in Sri Lanka. The Red Data List of Threatened Fauna and Flora is updated periodically

and the latest updating has begun in this year (2011) and will be completed by next

year. In the year 2007 only one third of the floral species in the country was evaluated

and assessed for the red listing programme and this time, the entire floral species found

in Sri Lanka will be evaluated and their status will be assessed for better conservation.

The rich biodiversity has a tremendous value of bio-prospecting. As such, many internal

and external individuals and institutions tend to exploit the country’s biological

resources in an unfair and unlawful manner. Having understood the very, fact the Bio-

11

diversity Secretariat of the

Ministry is now engaged in the

process to preparing a law

relating to access to Genetic

Resources and Benefit Sharing

for the purpose of wise use of

country`s Biological resources.

The two major state

institutions responsible for the

conservation of the natural

ecosystems of the country the

Forest Department and

Department of Wild Life

Conservation have undertaken

many important measures for

biodiversity conservation and

this action will continue into

the next decade.

Also the protected area

network has been assessed

through an island-wide

scientific gap analysis to

incorporate most important

biodiversity areas into the

formal protected area network of the country. This activity is paving the way to increase

the land area under legal protection and also there by meeting requirements under the

Millennium Development Goal 7. The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the

Department of Forest Conservation through systematic and scientific approach are in

the process making arrangement to declare important biodiversity areas to bridge the

gaps/pockets created by irrational forest clearance taking place in important faunal and

floral areas.

National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka

Programme - Strategies

1. Strengthen policy, legal and institutional

framework for biodiversity conservation, including

information sharing & networking aspects

2. Establish optimum Protected Area network and

ensure recovery of important threatened species

3. Conserve and sustainable use flora and fauna

outside the protected area network.

4. Establish biodiversity conservation financing

mechanism through biodiversity valuation and

economics of conservation

5. Wise use of genetic resources for agriculture in

sustainable manner

6. Limit access to genetic resources

7. Preserve traditional knowledge and practices

relevant to biodiversity conservation

8. Integrate and promote research and

development on biodiversity conservation in all

sectors

9. Facilitate sustainable use of biodiversity through

benefit sharing mechanisms

10. Integrate agenda on biodiversity into

education and agenda of other related sectors

12

Declaration of Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Protected Area and

Knuckles Conservation Forest as a world heritage could be considered as a remarkable

milestone that the country passed in 2010 for the conservation of natural resources, the

benefits of which spread all over the country. The declared area has been described by

UNESCO as a “Super Biodiversity Hotspot”.

Table 2.1: Summary of Threatened Inland Indigenous Invertebrate Fauna in Sri Lanka

(2007)

Taxon Total

Species

CR EN VU Total

Threatened

Mammals 91(16) 9(2) 20(8) 12(4) 41(14)

Birds 227(33) 10 15(6) 21(10) 46(16)

Reptiles 171(101) 16(12) 23(16) 17(9) 56(37)

Amphibians 106(90) 12(12) 34(34) 6 (5) 52(51)

Freshwater

Fishes

82(44) 10(8) 7(4) 11(8) 28(20)

Total 677(284) 57(34) 99(68) 67(36) 223(138)

Source –Ministry of Environment Note: (The total species number under different taxa excludes marine forms, and migratory species whose

breeding populations have not been recorded in Sri Lanka. The numbers of endemic species is in

parenthesis)

(Endemic) CR-Critically VU- Vulnerable EN-Endanger

How do we benefit from Biodiversity?

A country can benefit from Biodiversity in many ways though it`s importance is not duly

valued, most of the time there is tendency to neglect or do not appreciate biological

resources until a particular species or community disappears. Even seemingly obscure

and insignificant organisms can play irreplaceable roles in ecological systems or be the

source or genes or drugs that may be indispensable.

13

What Threats Biodiversity?

Natural Causes of extinction

Human-caused Reductions in

Biodiversity

- Habitat destruction

- Fragmentation

- Invasive Species

- Pollution

- Overharvesting

- Commercial products &

Live Specimens

- Industrial Agriculture,

Forestry

- Global Climate Change

Food

All of our food comes from other organisms. Many wild plant species could make

important contributions to human food supplies either as they are or as a source of

genetic material to improve domestic crops.

Drugs and Medicines

Living organisms provide us with many useful drugs and medicines. More than half

of all prescriptions contain product of some natural elements. The United Nations

Development Programme estimates the value of pharmaceutical products derived

from developing world plants, animals and microbes to be more than $ 30 billion per

year.

Ecological Benefits

Human life is inextricably linked to ecological services provided by other organisms.

Soil formation, sinking waste, air and water purification, nutrient cycling, solar

energy absorption and food production are depended on biodiversity.

Aesthetic and Cultural Benefits

Millions of people enjoy hunting, fishing,

camping, hiking, wildlife watching and other

nature based activities. These activities

provide invigorating physical exercise and

contact with nature can be psychologically

and emotionally restorative.

Threats to Biodiversity in Sri Lanka

Habitat destruction and Fragmentation.

Poaching, illicit timber extraction and

encroachment into forest lands are the major

concerns, although due to more concerted

law enforcement, there has now been a

decline in these activities.

14

Over exploitation of species for commercial purpose.

Degradation of terrestrial and aquatic natural eco system due to threat of invasive

species.

Degradation of forest resources due to encroachment, illicit felling of trees, illegal

mining, Forest die back (in Horton Plains) due to natural and anthropogenic reasons.

Degradation of grassland habitats results from over grazing. Eg. Udawalawa,

Bundala and Wasgamuwa National Park

Irrational Reclamation of wetlands in urban areas is under pressure due to

reclamation activities and landfills for housing purpose and dumping waste into

wetlands.

Unsustainable harvesting of medicine plants and other forest collections including

non-timber forest products.

Natural Phenomenon such as global warming, climate change, desertification and

land degradation etc…

Use of chemicals in the environment specially Agro chemicals.

Table 2.2 : Endangered and Threatened Species Worldwide

Species Number

Mammals 2,123

Birds 2,123

Reptiles 454

Amphibians 231

Fish 1,159

Insects and other invertebrates 3,374

Total fauna 9,474

Plants 7,022

Source –Global red list

15

Table 2.3 : Faunal and Floral species diversity in Sri Lanka-2007

Species Endemics

Number of Faunal Species

Invertebrate fauna 1,601 355

Vertebrate fauna 932 284

Floral species

Angiosperm (Flowering

plants)

3,771 926

Pterdophyta (Ferns) 348 48

Mosses 566 63

Liverworts 222

Lichens 661

Source :IUCN Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora of Sri Lanka (2007)

Actions for Biodiversity Conservation

Since the biodiversity is cross sectoral in nature, most of the projects and programmes

on natural resources management have addressed different aspects of biodiversity

conservation.

About 10 projects and programmes on natural resources management have

addressed different aspects of biodiversity conservation.

A framework for action on the conservation of Biological Diversity in Sri Lanka has

been prepared with the approval of the cabinet of ministers.

The Forestry Sector Master Plan and National Coastal Zone Management Plan were

prepared with the special emphasis on the conservation of biological diversity in

forest, coastal and marine subsectors.

The draft new law on Access to Genetic Resources and code of Ethics on Biodiversity

Research was published and also the Material Transfer Agreement has been

finalized by the Biodiversity Secretariat.

The National List of Invasive Plants and Data Book have been completed by

the Bio-diversity Secretariat and IUCN-Sri Lanka.

A Network of Biodiversity parks and Bird sanctuaries were established.

16

The Ministry of Environment has taken steps to establish a permanent exhibition on

Bio-diversity at the Natural Science Museum in the National Museum Department in

1997 as a tool to educate 50,000 visitors who visit the museum every year.

At present Bio-diversity aspects are included in the advance level biological science

and geography curricula and also in the university basic degree curricula. At

postgraduate level, many universities have introduced postgraduate degrees /

diplomas in biodiversity and in areas closely related to Bio-diversity.

Research on bio-diversity covers a broad spectrum. A large number of short and long

term research programmes are carried out by the concerned organizations such as

universities, research institutes, government departments, NGOs.

Ministry is planning to establish a clearinghouse mechanism to receive process and

disseminate information on biological diversity on the national and international

level.

Government’s commitment to international conventions and agreements

The government is very keen on conservation and promotion of country`s environment

and is committed to honoring the international conventions and agreements on

biodiversity and conservation. This includes the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme

(1970), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and

Fauna (CITES) - (1979), Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and

Natural Heritage (1980), Ramsar Wetland Convention (1990), Convention on Climate

Change (1992), Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change (2002), Convention on Biological

Diversity (1992) and many others.

Issues related to the loss of biodiversity in Sri Lanka

Increasing pressure due to the demand for land, removal of species from the wild,

and competition between invasive species and indigenous species.

Climate change and increasing levels of pollution

Lack of understanding of scientific management

Undervaluation of biodiversity

17

Lack of awareness and absence of inter-institutional coordination with regard to

biodiversity.

The capacity of existing institutions for promotion of a holistic and integrated policy

in biodiversity conservation has not been considered.

Strategies and policies are not in place to establish conditions needed for

compatibility between present use and the conservation of biodiversity, and

sustainable use of its components.

Inadequate attention on national policies on specific issues such as germplasm

conservation, information management, ex-situ conservation, bio safety and access

to genetic resources and benefit sharing.

Table 2.4: Living Species by Taxonomic Group

Bacteria and Cyanobacteria 4,000

Protozoa (Single celled animals) 31,000

Algae (Single celled plants) 40,000

Fungi (molds, mushrooms) 72,000

Multicellular plants 270,000

Sponges 5,000

Jellyfish,corals,anemones 10,000

Flatworms (tapeworms, flukes) 12,000

Roundworms(nematodes, earthworms) 25,000

Clams, snails, slugs, squids, octopuses 70,000

Insects 1,025,000

Mites, ticks, spiders, crabs, shrimp, centepedes, other non-

insect arthropods

110,000

Starfish, Sea urchins 6,000

Fish and sharks 27,000

Amphibians 4,000

Reptiles 7,150

Birds 9,700

Mammals 4,650

Total 1,733,000

Source: Biodiversity hotspot for conservation priorities nature 403:853-858,(2000)

18

Chapter- 3

Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change

Climate change is the fundamental human development challengers of the 21st century.

It is a growing crisis with economic, health and safety, food production, security, and

other dimensions.

Should we care about.........?

For over the past 200 years, the burning of

fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and

deforestation has caused the

concentrations of heat-trapping

"greenhouse gases" to increase

significantly in our atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases are required for life,

because they keep the planet's surface

warmer. But, as the concentrations of

these gases continue to increase in the

atmosphere, the earth's temperature is

climbing above past year’s levels. Most of

the warming in recent decades is very

likely the result of human activities.

Global warming is expected to lead to a

rise in sea level, higher temperatures,

more frequent and prolonged droughts,

high intensity rainfalls and increased

thunder activity. These anticipated

changes represent a significant threat to

the coastal areas, the different sectors of

the national economy and human health.

As a developing county and an island nation, Sri Lanka is especially vulnerable to these impacts.

Climate change would produce major impacts on Sri Lanka’s natural resources, economic

activity and people’s well-being. The full extent of climate change impacts on Sri Lanka is still

being studied, but there is a growing recognition that climate change could threaten the

Time for Change

The term “carbon footprint” refers to the

amount of carbon (C02) we emit

individually in any one-year period. C02 is

produced from many sources and is the

primary gas responsible for global warming

and the results in alarming changes in our

climate. The carbon footprint is a very

powerful tool for understanding the impact

of individual behavior on global warming.

Do You Know

Each of the following activities add 1 kg of

CO2 to your personal carbon footprint

Travel by public transportation (train or

bus) a distance of 10 to 12 km (6.5 to 7

miles)

Drive with your car a distance of 6 km

or 3.75 miles (assuming 7.3 liters petrol

per 100 km)

Fly with a plane a distance of 2.2 km or

1.375 miles.

Operate your computer for 32 hours (60

Watt consumption assumed)

Box 3.1-Carbon Footprint

19

significant achievements the country has made in the last 20 years in increasing incomes and

reducing poverty. Preliminary research and projection being undertaken has shown that Sri

Lanka is highly vulnerable and could be affected in different ways.

Table 3.1: Impacts of Climate Change

Impacts in the wider context

Phenomena/hazards/activities/industries affected

Sea level rise

Inundation of low lying coastal settlements and coastal wetlands

Coastal Erosion

Flooding and Storm Damage

Salt Water Intrusion affecting low lying agriculture and fresh water intakes

Fishery Industry

Coast Protection and Port Structures

Nearshore Infrastructure – Land based infrastructure and Land reclamation

Tourist Industry

Temperature rise

Power Generation

Agriculture output

Human Health

Transport Infrastructure

Droughts

Ground and Surface Water Supply

Power Generation

Forest Resources

Agricultural Output

Human Health

Transport Infrastructure

High intensity Rainfall

Floods

Land Degradation

Agricultural Output

Human Health

Transport Infrastructure

Power Generation

Increased thunder activity

Damages to Infrastructure

Human Health

Key drivers and pressures

There are two main responses to climate change:

• Climate mitigation is reduction of the green house gas emission;

• Climate adaptation is preparing for the impacts of climate change.

Sri Lanka is a negligible contributor to global warming. However, as a nation, we are

highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which include:

20

Increases in the frequency and intensity of disasters such as droughts, floods

and landslides;

variability and unpredictability of rainfall patterns;

increase in temperature; and

sea level rise, among others.

Increases in the frequency and intensity of disasters such as floods,

landslides and droughts;

The incidence of flooding seems to be most frequent in the latter years, with the

most flooding occurring in the year 2006. Further, the floods in Sri Lanka are most

likely to occur in the months of May in the first cycle and in December in the second

cycle. With respect to spatial distribution floods are most frequent in the districts of

Jaffna, Kalutara, Rathnapura, Gampaha and Ampara.

People have become increasingly affected by floods with the highest number

recorded in 2008. Further, people located in the districts of Gampaha, Kalutara,

Batticaloa, Rathnapura and Ampara have been most affected by floods. However,

the occurrence of deaths due to floods is quite low except for the year 2003 where

it reached nearly 180 persons. Destruction and damage to houses and buildings also

appear to follow a similar pattern with most damage occurring in the districts of

Rathnapura, Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, and Jaffna. Damage to paddy has

taken place mostly in the earlier years with the highest impact recorded in 1984,

while spatially the highest damage has incurred in the districts of Kurunegala,

Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Batticaloa. (http://www.desinventar.lk)

Until the year 2002, the annual average number of landslide records did not exceed

50. However, according to the disaster data shows a sudden increase in the

occurrence of landslides during the years 2003-2008. Further, landslides are most

prone to occur in the months of November, December and January. With respect to

spatial distribution, most landslides appear to occur in the districts of Badulla,

Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya and Kegalle. People affected, loss of life, damage to houses

and crop loss also appear to take the same trend with only the above mentioned

districts being most affected. . (http://www.desinventar.lk)

21

On average Sri Lanka faces drought conditions every 3-4 years. However in the

recent few decades more droughts are experienced. It is also important to note

that major droughts occurred in 1992 and 2001. The seasonal distribution shows

that droughts occur largely in the month of August. With respect to the spatial

distribution, areas most affected appear to be the districts of Kurunegala, Putlam,

Hambantota, Moneragala and Ampara. People were most affected by severe

droughts that occurred in the years of 2001 and 2004. The spatial impacts of

agricultural loss from droughts followed a similar pattern as people affected.

However, high agricultural losses were reported in the years 2001 and 2004, while

large losses were also recorded in the year 1987. (http://www.desinventar.lk)

Variability and unpredictability of rainfall patterns;

The unpredictability and the extreme nature of rainfall event can be seen in recent

rainfall events in Sri Lanka. Since end-December 2010, the country has experienced

its highest level of rainfall in almost 100 years. There has been heavy rainfall over

the last three months of 2010, with consequent flooding in many areas of the

country. The worst case of flooding occurred around mid-January 2011 in the

Eastern Province, with Batticaloa experiencing its third highest ever level of rainfall

in a single day (312.3mm); the highest-ever level was in December 1967

(330.7mm).Overall, the flooding in the Eastern Province was the worst since 1913.

Meanwhile, parts of the Northern, North Central, North Western, Central, Uva and

Sabaragamuwa Provinces were also affected by flooding. Colombo, recorded its

highest level of rainfall in 18 years in November 2010.

22

Table 3.2 : Coefficient of Variation of Seasonal Rainfall in Sri Lanka (Percentage)

Season 1931-1960 1961-1990

First Inter Monsoon Season 23 27

South West Monsoon Season 21 16

Second Inter Monsoon Season 22 23

North East Monsoon Season 31 42

Annual 11 14

Source -Department of Meteorology

Increase in temperature;

Figure 3.1: Change in Mean Annual Temperature in Sri Lanka 1930 to 2000

Source –Chandrapala 2000

According to Chandrapala (2010), since 1960, the temperature rise in Sri Lanka is in the

order of 0.16oC per decade (Figure 3.1). Seasonal mean temperatures for the Yala

(April–September) and the Maha (October–March) agricultural seasons also display

similar warming. Mean (annual and seasonal) daytime maximum and mean (annual and

seasonal) nighttime minimum air temperatures have both increased during the period

1960-2001 with trends of 0.026 °C and 0.017 °C per year, respectively.

23

Sea level rise

Sri Lanka is presently experiencing an erosion rate of 0.30 – 0.35 m per year in 45

percent to 55 percent of coasts. Chandrapala 2010) Coastal area in Sri Lanka consists of

24 percent of land area, 32 percents of population, 65 percent of urbanized land area

and a significant extent of agricultural land. Sea level rise together with increased wave

heights due to climate change can further increased coastal erosion.

Therefore Sri Lanka needs climate change adaptation to ensure its continues

economic development, food and water security and public health.

Responses at the national level

Sri Lanka’s participation in UNFCCC

Sri Lanka is an active

participant in the global and

inter-governmental responses

to climate change. It was

among the first 50 countries

to sign and ratify the UNFCCC

(in 1993), and later joined the

convention’s Kyoto Protocol

(which commits developed

countries to reduce their

collective emissions of

greenhouse gases). A Climate

Change Secretariat (CCS) was

established within the

Ministry of Environment to

facilitate, formulate and

implement projects and

following are the key

initiatives taken by the

....National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme-

Strategies

Establish country specific policies and action

plans to counter adverse climate change impacts.

Promote the use of economically viable,

environment friendly, renewable energy

resources, with emphasis on non-conventional

energy resources.

Optimize energy consumption through energy

efficiency in enterprises and promoting

substitution of fossil fuels by renewable energies

in economic and production sectors.

Promote supply side & end use energy

efficiency.

Promote carbon sequestration.

Promote integrated waste management.

Identify infrastructure vulnerability to climate

change.

Ensure that land use zoning reduces vulnerability

to adverse impacts of climate change.

Make rain water harvesting at site level

mandatory.

Take adaptive measures expecting an increase of

vectors.

Establish Food Security in the face of climate

change threats.

Develop and adopt energy saving technologies in

agriculture.

24

Climate Change Secretariat in order to tackle the issues of climate change.

Establishment of Sri Lanka Carbon Fund for promoting carbon trading.

Development of national policies on Climate Change and clean development

mechanism

Formulation of the Second National Communication on Climate Change

In order to Promote Clean Development Mechanism a project on capacity

development of CDM in Sri Lanka was carried out with the financial assessment

of JICA

Preparation of SAARC Action Plan on Climate Change from year 2009-2011 and

periodically reporting to SAARC Secretariat.

Government has appointed Ministry as a Designated Authority (DA) for

Adaptation Fund

Developed a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for year 2011 – 2016

and the sector vulnerable profiles (SVPs) were prepared for the following key

groupings of sectors based on the consultation of stakeholders; Agriculture and

Fisheries, Water, Human Health, Urban Development Human Settlements and

Economic Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Information, Education and Communication Strategy for Climate Change

Adaptation in Sri Lanka was prepared.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) attempts

to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for

developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-

carbon paths to sustainable development. REDD goes beyond deforestation and

forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable

management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks hence called

REDD+.

Sri Lanka has entered to the UN-REDD+ Programme in October 2009, as an

observer and has been required to submit the National Programme Document to

the 8th Policy Board Meeting to be held in March 2012.

25

Chapter- 4

Wise Use of the Coastal Belt and the Sea Around

Should we care about ………….?

With an available 1,150 km sand beaches out of 1,700 km long coast line in Sri Lanka,

some of the island’s richest biodiversity

ecosystems are found in the coastal zone including

other numerous ecosystems such as coral reefs,

estuaries, lagoons, mangrove forests, sandy

beaches and sea grass beds. These ecosystems are

very important in providing essential habitats for

many rare and valuable species and vital goods

and services for the people. Substantial reserves of

mineral resources and almost 100 sites with

special historical, cultural or religious importance as well as stretches of aesthetic and

recreational value can be found in this zone. The country has sovereign rights over an

area of about 517,000 km2 of the sea with the declaration of the Exclusive Economic

“Coastal area” in the context of the Coast Conservation

Act , is defined as the Coastal Zone, a 2km wide band of

ocean and an adjoining strip of land extending 300m

inland. In the event a water body connected to the sea

occurs the zone extends 2 km inland from the mouth of

the water body. The coastal zone is significant not only for

its natural resources but also as a development

infrastructure. It may consist of habitats critical for

sustained production of fisheries, coral reefs and brackish

wetlands and these habitats will be rich in biodiversity

reserves. A large number of river basins, estuaries and

lagoons, many of which are lined with mangroves covering

about 16,037 ha (2010). Sri Lanka’s coasts and beaches

are among most scenic in the world and are an aesthetic

resource. The coastal region functions as an important

sink to most waste generated in the country. The

mandatory/regulatory body in coast conservation/ coastal

zone management is Coast Conservation Department and

it has been authorized by the Coast Conservation Act of

1981.

After the 2004 tsunami devastation,

not only the Sri Lankans but also the

people at the global end realized the

importance of strong link between

natural coastal ecosystems and

human livelihoods since the damage

to the brown and green environment

due to tsunami was very less in the

places where coastal ecosystems in

place than the other places in the

affected countries.

Figure 4.1: Administrative Boundary

of Coastal Area

26

Zone (EEZ) in 1976 and the same law designates an area up to 12 nautical miles as the

Territorial Sea and a further stretch of 12 nautical miles as the Contagious Zone.

With the unique qualities/values of the Sri Lankan coastal zone provides its facilitation

for tourism, agriculture, industrial and commercial (ports and fishery harbors) activities,

human settlements etc while the marine environment provides income generation for

fishing community. The coastal region accommodates 70 percent of registered tourist

hotels, contains 70 percent of agricultural lands and includes the 05 major ports with 12

fishery harbors in operation. The coastal sector provides 150,000 direct employment

and contributes about 2.7 percent to the GNP (year). Coastal region population is

around 25percent of the total population.

Degradation of coastal and marine environment has been recognized as one of major

environmental issues currently being faced by Sri Lanka and it has emerged because of

improper application of fishing technologies, improper establishment of industries,

lagoons and estuaries’ water contamination with agricultural chemicals, disposal of

wastes, coastal erosion etc.

The impacts on Sri Lankan sea and coasts are driven by human activities and land-based

activities. Concentration of population in coastal areas, the tiger prawn export industry,

particularly in the north-western coast, has caused severe damage to mangrove and

other ecosystems and collection of non-edible aquarium species harvested for export

purposes mainly from inshore coral reef areas has affected the coral reef ecosystems.

Apart from these pressures, coral mining and dynamite blast fishing impact on coastal

ecosystems, mechanized fishing techniques have drastically reduced the fish stock,

expansion of tourism, development of urban infrastructure, waste disposal shipping and

transport, are some activities that causes coasts and coastal resources depletion.

The adverse impacts on the coastal resources include erosion of coastal area, resource

over exploitation, destructive harvesting techniques, habitat clearance and conversion

and land-based and marine source of pollution. Degradation of coastal and marine

resources/environment is occurring continuously because of the under-

valuation/estimation of goods and services provided by it. This problem may be at least

partially resolved if the coastal and marine environment is accounted as an economic

part of the development infrastructure of the country.

27

National Action Plan For Haritha Lanka

Programme- Strategies

1. Develop marine and inland fisheries in an ecologically sustainable manner

2. Develop and rehabilitate the coastal belt conserving its natural resources and minimize vulnerability to natural hazards

3. Stabilize eroding coastal stretches using soft solutions such as coastal resources and habitat rehabilitation to the maximum level

4. Promote environmentally friendly fishing practices in place of harmful fishing practices

5. Prevent coastal and marine pollution through appropriate measures.

Existing and planned responses

Being the National Development Policy in the country, “Vision for the Future, Sri Lanka-

The Emerging Wonder of Asia” clearly indicates that the aim of the Environment Sector

is to promote sustainable development in close liaison with the land, fauna and flora

and to bestow our natural heritage to future generation. When reaching this aim,

concerted efforts need to be made in order to overcome the issues of coastal

conservation and management of parallel to the other sub sectors. This policy

documents describes the priorities and targets of the coastal and marine protection in

the year 2010 that are i) national system of marine protected areas to be established ii)

watershed areas to be protected iii) rate of mangrove and wetland loss to be reduced by

10percent and 90percent respectively iv) off-shore fishing programme to be

implemented v) integrated coastal zone management implemented. The national

target by 2016 is to provide direct employments through development of coastal

resources.

National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka

Programme is the National Action

Programme of the Environment Sector

prepared in line with the “Mahinda

Chinthana- ”. It has given a platform to

coordinate with relevant stakeholders

and accordingly a number of

progrmmes have been implemented

by the agencies concerned. Ministry

of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,

Department of Coast Conservation,

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Aquatic Resources Research

and Development Agency and Marine Pollution Prevention Authority are the main

agencies being act in this sector.

28

The coast Conservation Department undertakes construction of revetment, breakwater

liners, groynes etc to protect the coast around

the Island. Apart from that, shore line

development, establishment of green belt,

beach access roads are being done to protect

the coast ensuring vegetation/greening on the

coast while increasing the resilience of the

coastal community. Six Special Area

Management (SAM) Plans (Rekawa,

Hikkaduwa, Negambo lagoon, Lunawa lagoon, Rekawa-Ussabgoda-Kalametiya, Madu

ganga) have already been adopted by the Coast Conservation Department under the

Coastal Zone Management Plan with a view to take actions for coastal zone

management in an effective manner. With the enforcement of law, demolishing orders

have been issued and human development activities within the unauthorized coastal

area have been demolished (Table 4.1).

A fish production enhancement plan was formed by the Department of Fisheries and

Aquatic Resources to increase the inland fish production by 100 percent before 2014.

Also, the special co-management plan unit was established and it is being functioned to

control harmful fishing practices. The National Aquatic Resources Research and

Development Agency has conducted fish stock assessments in five selected fisheries

areas in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Table1 4.1: Implementation of Demolishing Orders

District 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total

Hambanthota 09 36 02 11 06 09 05 78

Matara 10 28 07 11 07 16 08 87

Kaluthara - 82 - 05 08 03 02 100

Colombo 06 26 23 09 13 23 08 108

Gampaha 10 18 08 49 09 06 04 104

Puttalama - 04 16 14 14 - 10 58

Total 100 250 68 140 140 85 59 841

Source: Coast Conservation Department

Urgent interventions needed

To identify and relocate communities/activities incompatible with zoning plans

To introduce alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on the coastal and marine environment.

29

Mangroves for the Future Initiative Programme

The Greater Indian Ocean region has an attractive coastal

line which encompasses various types of tropical and

marine ecosystems. Emphasizing the importance of such

ecosystems’ services provided in the 2004 tsunami time,

global experts gathered and made an extraordinary effort

to find an integrated solution with a view to increase the

resilience of the coastal communities in the Indian Ocean

region. As a result of this effort, a new approach named

“Mangroves for the Future (MFF) was initiated by IUCN and UNDP and it has coped to

get the service of other agencies such as FAO, UNEP, CARE, WI, Norad, Sida etc. MFF is a

partnership-led programme covering India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles,

Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Vision :- “A healthier, more prosperous and secure future for all Indian Ocean coastal

communities”

Goal:- “ To conserve and restore coastal ecosystems in the participating countries as key assets

that support human well-being and security in the Indian Ocean Region”

Objectives:- To strengthen the environmental sustainability of coastal development ; and to

promote the investment of funds and efforts in coastal ecosystem management.

The programme was initiated in 2007 and currently four outreach countries (

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor-Leste) and three dialogue countries (

Kenya, Malaysia and Tanzania) have joined with the MFF forum ensuring exploration of

its service.

For more details www.mangrovesforthefuture.org

30

Sri Lankan achievements:

The Ministry of Environment is the national executing agency and the national focal

point of the Regional Steering Committee while the IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office is the

National Coordinator/ Secretariat. National Steering Committee comprising government

agencies, civil society organizations, NGOs, research institutions, academic institutions

etc. provides a multi-stakeholder forum for fostering dialogue and decision - making

among agencies, and promote harmonized management of coastal resources utilization.

National Strategy and Action Plan for MFF was prepared and published in 2010. 38

projects under small grant facility were funded and successfully completed. Second

phase of the small grant project implementation has already been commenced and

proposals are being evaluated.

Figure 4.2: Thematic Analysis of Small Grant Projects Two Large Grant Projects

were funded with the

total cost of US $

411,250. One project is

on increasing the

resilience of coastal and

reverine communities to

climate change and

other threats, by

conserving the

ecosystems of the Maha Oya

and associated coastal

wetlands in Sri Lanka. The

objectives are I) to empower

stakeholders to conserve river

basin and II) to support

advocacy, awareness and

capacity building on the

Coastal Planting - Batticaloa

Picture: Kumudini Ekaratne Barringtonia and Cassuarina after 6 months

Pictures: Kumudini Ekaratne Barringtonia and Cassuarina after 6

months

Source: IUCN Sri Lanka

16

8

14Ecosystem restoration

Awareness & Capacity

bulding

Livelihood enhancement

31

conservation of ecosystems and increasing resilience of coastal and reverine

communities (especially with regard to replicating). Expected major outputs of the

project are,

1) Nature, magnitude and distribution of current and future threats to ecosystem

services and human wellbeing, including those linked to climate change,

identified through integrated ecological-hydrological-livelihood assessment and

modeling,

2) Critical ecosystem services that benefit livelihoods are identified and valued,

3) Practical and policy relevant information will be disseminated for planning

management and conservation purposes of ecosystems, and issues arising on

loss of livelihoods and other conflicts will be addressed,

4) Degraded and sensitive reverine and coastal areas identified, restored and

conserved, with the active support and participation of local communities.

The second project is on promoting community participation in integrated coastal

management in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka. The objective of the project is

to institutionally, economically and technically empower representatives of 90 primary

stakeholders groups (i.e. fisherman, women in coastal communities, eco-tour operators,

eco-tour guides and home stay owners) and 20 secondary stakeholders groups (i.e. local

NGOs, entrepreneurs and local businesses), through the Sri Lanka Nature Forum, to

engage more effectively in local and regional decision making processes affecting the

co-management and future development of the coastal ecosystem in the North Western

Province.

Lunawa Environment Improvement and Community Development Project (LEI

and CDP)

Lunawa Lake and the network of canals in

the catchment had been one of the finest

water bodies which provided recreational

facilities to people in the catchment and also

served as a means of Livelihood for

fishermen in the neighborhood. Rapid and

Details of the Project area

Catchment - 6.15 km2

Lunawa North - 3.15 km2

Lunawa South - 2.62 km2

Ground Elevation - 1-6 m MSL

Annual Rainfall - 2,400 mm

Affected Population - 18,000 families

Lake Area - 20 ha (WL =

0.5 m MSL)

32

Situation before the project Situation after the project

unplanned urbanization and industrialization has contributed immensely for the

deterioration of the ecological balance of Lunawa Lake and the connecting network of

canals. It was necessitated for the Government to intervene and arrest further

environmental degradation and prevent flash flood damages and rescue the

economically vibrant urban residential areas.

LEI&CDP which is a 8 year project has been executed by the Ministry of Water Supply

and Drainage with the financial assistance from Japan International Corporation Agency

(JICA) with a view to improve the living condition of people in Lunawa North (Dehiwala-

Mt.Lavinia Municipal Council area) and in Lunawa South (Moratuwa Municipal Council

area) by mitigating flood damage through an integrated programme of improvement of

urban drainage and canal system including social and community development.

Specific Objectives

1. Alleviating flood, through improvement of storm water drainage systems,

including the rehabilitation of existing canals and streams.

2. Creating a hygienic and pleasant environment through improvement of storm

water drainage systems.

3. Upgrading living conditions of the (a) communities identified for resettlement

(870 HHs) and (b) Under-served communities in the inundated area and

communities along new canal and Lake Front.

Status before project intervention

Biologically dead lake

Environmentally degraded area

Habitual flooding – 4-6 times annually about 18,000 HHs – Unhygienic surroundings with water stagnation, polluted water, Mosquitoes etc. – a health hazard due to indiscriminate human activities (Industrial and Domestic pollution) taken place during last three decades.

33

Chapter- 5

Responsible use of the Land Resources

Importance of land

Land is a delineable area of the earth's

terrestrial surface, encompassing all

attributes of the biosphere immediately

above or below this surface including

those of the near-surface climate the

soil and terrain forms, the surface

hydrology (including shallow lakes,

rivers, marshes, and swamps), the near-

surface sedimentary layers and

associated groundwater reserve, the

plant and animal populations, the

human settlement pattern and physical

results of past and present human

activity (terracing, water storage or

drainage structures, roads, buildings,

etc(United Nations).

Our farmers undergo severe suffering

due to the scarcity of water, non

availability of land, crop losses and

poor markets for their produce and

lack of access to technology. (Mahinda Chintana-2005,)

Sri Lanka has a total land area of 6,552,500 hectares (excluding inland water bodies) and a

population of about 20.6 million with a population density of 329 sq km by 2010. The high

population density and improve living standards have created terrific pressure on the natural

resources of the country. After many years of conflict the country it is opening up for rapid

development process.

Green Lanka Programme

Strategies

1. Reduce land degradation in agricultural areas

2. Rehabilitate deteriorated lands

3. Develop and implement programmes for the use of non –cultivated agricultural lands

4. Optimize soil conservation through mandatory & other measures.

5. Promote precision farming, traditional varieties of crops to fit agro-ecological condition.

6. Conserve, resorting and improve important representative landscapes

7. Integrate a system to restore, reclaim and rehabilitate mined areas

8. Carry out assessment on forest cover of Sri Lanka including different categories of forests.

9. Improve Management of Commercial Plantations.

10. Promote the integrated management of upper watersheds.

11. Mitigate and Adaptation to drought.

12. Review land related Laws.

10. Mitigate and adaptation to drought

1.

34

This new era of development is up against the issue of scares natural resources which are

precious as well as essential for the developmental process itself. Out of which land is

considered to be the mostly threatened natural resource in Sri Lanka.

Table 5.1- General Statistics (2010)

Item Unit Extent

Total Area Sq.km 65 610

Annual average rainfall mm 1,992

Population million 20.6

Agricultural Population Percentage 33

Paddy Hectares’ 000 978

Tea Hectares ‘000 222

Rubber Hectares ‘000 126

Coconut Hectares ‘000 395

Total forest Cover Hectares ‘000 Percentage

1,883 28.74

Close canopy forest cover Hectares ‘000 1,455

Open and Sparse forest Hectares ‘000 428

Forest plantations Hectares ‘000 80

Built up lands Hectares ‘000 77

Reforestation in hill country (5000 ft above)

Hectares 163.5

Extent of natural forests under the forest Department (5000 ft above) 2010

hectares 33,255

Source: Department of Census and Statistics

Present status of Land use

Land is one of the most important and highly dwindling natural resource in the country.

Land is considered as the prime natural resource for environmental needs. Nearly

40percent of the people are still dependent on land based activities and the government

controls about 80percent of all land in the country.

Sri Lanka’s society has been Agrarian based for over 2500 years, and paddy cultivation

which provides the staple diet of the population, has received the highest attention in

the agriculture sector. Over the years there has been an expansion of agricultural lands

resulting in an increase in the total agriculture land area and at present it accounts to

35

over 1.8 million hectares. The land area under agriculture in Sri Lanka include mainly the

forest lands, pasture lands, cultivated area, uncultivated area and roads and buildings.

Figure 5.1: Land Use Pattern within Agricultural Holdings 2002

Source: Department of Census and Statistics

Land use pattern indicates that most of the forest, range lands and paddy lands are

located in dry zone and wet zone is almost exclusively devoted to the agriculture. The

most important change in agriculture after independence of Sri Lanka has been an

increase in the production the diversion of forest land for cultivation. The diversion of

additional land to agriculture has adversely affected the forest cover.

Sri Lanka has total of 1,859,494 ha of agricultural lands and about 29,910 ha about

uncultivable lands which represent 2 percent of the total land Area. According to the

estimates 49 percent of the total agricultural lands are allocated for the permanent

crops and 7percent of the lands under roads, buildings etc (Figure 5.1).

Figure 5.2-: Per Capita Land Availability

Rapid rate of urbanization,

industrialization, increase rate of

population, have led to over

exploitation of vital land

resource and leading to land

degradation. It has also been

estimated that with increasing

population, the land/ man ratio

of the island has declined from 0.44 ha/head in 1981 to 0.29ha /person in 2011. It has

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

1981 1991 2001 2011 2021 2031 2041

Lan

d m

an r

atio

Percapita land Availabilty

Permanent Crops49%

Asweddumized crops

27%Temporary

crops8%

Forest Land7%

Land Under Roads and Buildings

4%

Lands not classified

elsewhere 3%

Lands not suitable for culticvation

2%

Land Use Patern within Agricultural Holdings 2002

36

been also predicted that by 2041 land man ratio would be further shrinked to 0.23 /

person (Figure: 5.2).

Impact on Land use changes

Land use changes have had both negative and positive impact on human well being and

more secure life standard for the people. But it occurs often at the cost of land

degradation, biodiversity loss and disruption of water and nutrient cycle.

Table 5.2 : Impacts on Land Changes

Change in land Environmental impact Socio economic

Expansion of croplands Negative effect on biodiversity

and loss of habitats,

disturbance of biological cycle,

increase of soil erosion ,

nutrient depletion, heavy use

of chemicals lead to

Eutrophication

Increase of agricultural

production, More secure

livelihood

Loss of forest, Grassland

and wetlands

Loss of habitat and biodiversity,

disturbances of biological cycle

and food webs depletion of soil

water retention

Loss of forest products, and

grazing, Loss of livelihood and

cultural values of the local

communities, support for

traditional lifestyles of

indigenous and local

community.

Urban expansion Loss of natural habitats and

biodiversity, increased

pollutants solid and organic

wastes, Depletion of biological

and hydrological cycles.

Increase life standards of the

people, increased opportunity

for social and economic

interaction and access to

services. Increased competition

for financial resources.

Lan

d D

egra

dat

ion

Chemical

Contamination

Polluted soil and water Loss of productivity due to ill

health diminished productivity

of contaminated systems.

Soil Erosion

Nutrient depletion

Loss of soil, nutrients, habitat

and property. Siltation of

reservoirs.

Loss of property, and

infrastructure, Decreasing

hydropower generation due to

siltation of reservoirs

Impoverished soils Lack of development in farm

sector

Source: Global Environment Outlook 2007

37

Forest cover

The world’s total forest area in 2010 is estimated to be just over 4 billion hectares,

which represents the 31 percent of the total land area, corresponding to an average of

0.6 ha of forest per capita. However, the area of forest is unevenly distributed.

According to the Global Forest Assessment more than one- third of all forest is identified

as primary forests 1 and it accounts for 36 percent of total forest area in the world. But

have decreased by more than 40 million hectares since 2000. The rate of deforestation

shows signs of decreasing, but is still alarmingly high around 13 million hectares of

forest were converted to other uses – largely agriculture or lost through natural causes

each year in the last decade.

Forests are indispensible mainly because of vast storage of carbon dioxide emissions

and estimates made in the Forest Resource Assessment 2010 shows that worlds forest

store 289 gigatonnes of Carbon in their biomass alone.

Globally carbon stocks in forest biomass decreased by an estimated 0.5 Gigatonnes

annually during the period of 2005-2020, mainly because of deforestation. The area of

planted forest is increasing and now accounts for 7 percent of total forest area or 264

million hectares. Between 2000 and 2010, the area of planted forest increased by

about 5 million hectares per year.

According to the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka quoting the Forest

Department sources the total forest cover has continued to decline from 2,119,000

hectares in 2001 to 1,934 000 ha in 2010.

Sri Lanka has lost its dense forest cover remarkably from about 84 percent in 1881 to

27 percent in 1982, and to 22.5. Percent in 1999. Approximately 85 percent of the

natural forests are concentrated in the Dry and Intermediate zone. The total extent of

forest plantation is estimated as 95,037 ha.

Almost all natural forests and forest plantations in Sri Lanka are administered by the

state. The Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation are the two

state agencies responsible for forest administration and management. In addition, State

1primary forest, i.e. forest of native species where there are no clearly visible indications of human

activities and theecological processes have not been significantly disturbed

38

Plantation Corporation and Land Reform Commission (LRC) are responsible for

administration of less than 5 percent of state forests in Sri Lanka.

Table 5.3- * Extent of Natural Forest - 2010

Area/ha Percentage

Close canopy forests

Montane 44,787 0.68

Sub Montane 28,990 0.44

Lowland 123,889 1.89

Moist monsoon 117,736 1.80

Dry monsoon 1,121,589 17.11

Riverine 2,425 0.04

Mangrove 16,037 0.24

Open and Sparse 427,857 6.53

Total 1,883,310 28.74

Source: Department of Forest * Provisional

Figure. 5.3 Decline of Forest Cover

These figure shows that growing

pressure is being placed by

people on land resources.

Intensive development process

in the industries, urbanization

and further expansion of

population growth have been attributed to the declining of the extent under natural

ecosystems.

Land degradation

Land degradation causes the lowering of productive capacity of land temporally or

permanently. Land degradation is widely prevalent and mainly induced by people. Large

scale land degradation in Sri Lanka began with the introduction of commercial

plantations in the hill country. Presently the productive land is being increasingly

0

20

40

60

1956 1983 1992 1999 2010% f

ore

st c

ove

r

Declining forest cover

39

degraded and more lands are becoming unproductive or marginal. Land degradation is

widely considered as one of the most critical environment problem affecting in

particular the field of agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. It is the result of improper land

management and misuse of land.

According to the Global Assessment of Soil Degradation (GLASOD), about 50 percent of

land in Sri Lanka is degraded. 61 percent of the total agricultural land area is degraded

mainly due to the declining of soil fertility.

Country itself does not contain desert areas as defined by the United Nations

Convention to Combat Desertification. It is however predicted that desertification may

occur in some parts of the arid in the future, which is receiving less than 1900 mm of

rainfall annually. This is due to accelerated land degradation, mainly through salinization

resulting from human activities such as deforestation. It is likely that desertification may

emerge as a problem in the Dry Zone in the future. It is estimated that about 30 percent

of the land in dry zone is degraded and unsuitable for agriculture; and it is paramount to

notice that some form of land degradation occurs in almost all land categories in varying

degrees of intensity.

Soil erosion

Even though there are several causes of land degradation Soil erosion is considered the

main cause of land degradation. Soil erosion is prevalent mainly in the hilly and

mountainous areas of the country which erodes 15 t/ha /year of top soil.

It is estimated that in general, 46 percent of the agricultural land is affected by soil

erosion and 60 percent by declining soil fertility. Although Sri Lanka has relatively fertile

soils, an estimate indicates that nearly one third of the land in Sri Lanka is subjected to

soil erosion at present.

Hap hazard gem mining, cultivation, lack of adequate land management practices in

agricultural lands, deforestation and inadequate land use planning are also causes of

human induced soil erosion in the country. Chena or slash and burning cultivation is also

a major problem affecting land degradation in the Dry Zone.

40

Loss of soil fertility

Depletion of soil fertility has led to a loss of productivity of agricultural lands in the

country. Some of the most serious impacts of soil fertility loss are declining crop yields,

increased production costs and lowered incomes from agriculture.

Natural Hazards.

Even though country is free of serious hazard resulting from climatic extremes, there are

impacts of many natural disasters, such as landslides, flood and drought. The landslides

have been a frequent problem in Sri Lanka for many years Badulla, Ratnapura,

Nuwara-Eliya and Kegalle districts have been identified as the landslide prone areas.

Summary

At present the agriculture sector faces a number of problems including low agricultural

productivity per hectare. This is mainly co-related with the land degradation and it is

widely spread and critically important environment problem in Sri Lanka.

So rehabilitate degraded and marginal agricultural lands by adopting soil conservation

measures and improving the soil fertility and nutrient content. Further Chena cultivation

engaged in Dry Zone causes continuing land degradation and natural forest continues to

be felled for Chena, has to be replaced with the more productive and stable system of

agriculture. In spite of the efforts being made to safeguard the remaining natural

forests deforestation is continuing and the forest cover is dwindling, mainly due to

encroachments. It is important to notice that forests are renewable resource and need

to take necessary measures to enhance the forest cover on degraded and neglected

forest lands and agricultural lands.

Finally it is paramount to review the divers land related laws and regulations existing at

present should be reviewed and new legal framework for land use planning need to be

introduced.

41

Chapter- 6 Doing Away with the Dumps

Solid Wastes and environment hazards related to the wastes have been a critical

environment concern particularly in the more urbanized areas in Sri Lanka. It is further

provoked due to the absence of proper waste management system in the country. With

the increase of population and

changing consumption patterns, the

quantity of solid waste has

increased over the years.

Waste Generation

The rate of generation of solid

waste in the society is increasing

with the increase of population,

changes of the life style of the

people, industrialization, and the

development activities connected

with improvement of Sri Lanka.

The current population in Sri Lanka

2010 is close to 20.6 million of

which 72 percent is rural (Central

Bank, 2010). Due to the inadequate

data within the country, the total

quantity of Municipal waste

collected or generated in the

country is not entirely accurate.

However, an analysis of available

"Wastes are materials that are not prime products (that is products produced for the market)

for which the generator has no further use in terms of his/her own purposes of production,

transformation or consumption, and of which he/she wants to dispose. Wastes may be

generated during the extraction of raw materials, the processing of raw materials into

intermediate and final products, the consumption of final products, and other human

activities. Residuals recycled or reused at the place of generation are excluded.

United Nations Statistic Division

National Action Plan For Haritha Lanka

Strategies

Promote life cycle management of wastes.

Strengthen the institutional mechanism for

solid waste management in every local

Authority.

Establish necessary infrastructure for solid

waste management in each local Authority or

adopt appropriate alternative methods.

Prevent accumulation of Hazardous wastes in

to the non-hazardous wastes streams.

Apply polluter pay principle and

environmentally sound treatment and disposal

of industrial solid waste.

Apply zero waste concepts in agricultural

farms.

42

data has revealed that the total waste generation in Sri Lanka is around 6,400 tons per

day and the daily waste collection by local Authorities is estimated at 2700 tons. Further

the per capita per day waste generation on the average is 0.85 kg in Colombo Municipal

Council, 0.75 kg in other Municipal Councils, 0.60 kg in Urban Councils and 0.40 kg in

Pradeshiya Sabhas. (Solid waste generation policy 2007, Ministry of Environment)) Colombo

is the most affected area facing a severe crisis with respect to the disposal waste

materials. it is revealed that Municipal waste in Sri Lanka consists of a large proportion

of compostable materials and over 80percent of domestic and commercial waste is

organic and biodegradable (Table 6.1).

Table 6.1 : Composition of Municipal Solid Waste Collection in Sri Lanka

Type of Waste Percentage

Biodegradable (Short term) 56.57

Paper 6.47

Wooden 6.35

Saw dust/ paddy husk and cloth/ garment wastes 6.04

Biodegradable (Long term) 5.94

Polythene and Plastics 5.91

Building 3.89

Glass 2.03

Metal 2.76

slaughter house 2.34

Other 1.68

Source: Ministry of Environment and natural Resources 2004

Waste generation is low in rural areas and the little waste generated is mainly

biodegradable. In most rural areas,

management of solid waste is undertaken at

individual or community level and is within the

carrying capacity of the local environment.

By contrast, the urban areas are densely

populated and generate larger quantities of

waste, which contain a higher amount of non-

biodegradable components than in rural areas.

Ever growing quantities of solid waste impose increasing pressures on individual LAs

which are responsible for the management of waste:

43

Waste Collection and disposal

Municipal Solid Waste collection

At present solid waste generation has become a critical environment issue mainly due to

the uncontrolled disposal practices of wastes rather than the increase rate of waste

generation. Solid waste collection and disposal of solid wastes is an obligatory function

of all the Local Authorities. But performances of local Authorities are at very low level

mainly due to institutional weaknesses, Inadequate financial resources, limited suitable

lands for waste disposal, lack of social responsibility etc and poor performances of local

Authorities has resulted the tremendous negative environmental consequence and

health hazards and sanitation problems.

Generation of solid wastes

residential and commercial (including market waste)

hospital waste (clinical and non-clinical)

industrial waste

slaughter house waste

drain clearings and street sweepings

Hazardous Waste

Industries and hospital waste are considered hazardous as they may contain toxic

substances. Municipal waste collected from domestic and commercial sources also

includes small quantities of hazardous waste, such as lead batteries.

Hazardous wastes could be highly toxic to humans, animals and Plants; are

corrosive, highly inflammable or explosive and react when exposed to certain things

such as gases. Direct exposure to chemicals in hazardous waste such as mercury,

Cyanide can be fatal. The main disposal route for hazardous waste is land filling,

incineration, and physical or chemical treatment. On the recovery side, a significant

proportion of hazardous waste is recycled or burnt as a fuel.

44

Although the amount of Hazardous waste generated is not considered to be

excessive at the moment its safe disposal and management are matters for serious

concern. The waste generated from industrial and hospital premises comprises

hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Hospitals in Sri Lanka do not have proper

disposal fasciitis for these hazardous wastes.

Sri Lanka has signed and ratified the controlling Trans-boundary movements of

hazardous wastes and their disposal in 1992(BASEL Convention) and by that Sri

Lanka has been obliged to control the trans-boundary movement of hazardous

wastes. Regulations with respect to hazardous waste management were gazetted

on 23rd of May 1996 by the extra ordinary gazette no 924/13. Having identified the

difficulties and draw backs and to facilitate the easy implementation, this regulation

was further amended as National Environment and Environmental Regulation No 1

of 2008 by the extra ordinary gazetted notification no. 1534/18 dated 01.02.2009.

Hospital Wastes Hospital waste is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of

human beings, or animals also in the research activities in these fields as well as

production and testing in biological. This in the form of disposable syringes, swabs,

bandages body fluids human excreta etc. This waste is highly infectious and can be

serious threat to human health, if not managed in scientific and discriminate

manner. It has been roughly estimated that four kilograms of waste generated in a

hospital, at least I kilogram would be infected.

Electronic Waste (E- Waste) E- Waste is one of the fastest growing streams in the world. In developed countries

currently it equals one percent of the total waste generation. The increase of

electronic products, changers of consumption patterns and higher obsolescence

rates of electronic waste leads to higher generation of electronic wastes. Many of

these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled.

45

Waste Disposal Methods

There are five major methods waste disposal currently in operation and they are

land filling, open dumping, recycling composting and incinerators and it depends

on national requirement and facilities available.

Waste disposal in Sri Lanka is the most crucial problem faced by Local Authorities

mainly due to lack of suitable land for disposal or central waste treatment

facilities in the urban areas.

As waste collected by local Authorities is mostly disposed in unsanitary open

dumps, it results in environmental impacts including offensive odour, pollution of

ground water etc. Further, the open dumps of solid wastes are ideal places for

breeding of disease vectors like mosquitoes and the haphazard disposal and

dumping of solid waste reduces aesthetic value and scenic beauty of the

environment thereby creating negative visible impacts to human beings and badly

affects tourism.

In addition to the dumpsites operated by the relevant Local Authorities, dumping

of waste is carried out haphazardly by private individuals along streets in marshes

or abandoned paddy fields.

In Sri Lanka the most popular method of waste disposal is land filling, but in order

to minimize the after effects of this method, it should be best coupled with

recycling and composting. The problem is most severe in the densely populated

areas of the Western Province.

Finding suitable sites for garbage disposal is a major problem for Municipal

Councils in urban areas and in rural areas due to lower population densities and

greater availability of land, disposal of solid waste is not as serious an issue.

A sanitary landfill site is designed for the final disposal of waste in an

environmentally sound manner. There is a clear distinction between open

dumping which is a common disposal practice at present in Sri Lanka and a

sanitary Landfill site. Therefore, potential sites which could be used as solid waste

disposal sites should be identified on a countrywide basis and the financial

support is urgently needed to construct sanitary landfill sites in island wide. At the

46

same time land filling need to be limited to non-recyclable, non-compostable and

inert material generated through waste treatment process.

One of the most adverse problems with regard to waste disposal is the lack of

facilities for safe disposal of industrial hazardous wastes and some of the

industries that generate hazardous waste have on site dumping facilities, but

these are often poorly managed, and give rise to pollution problems in the area.

Dumping of hazardous waste in a haphazard manner is a serious concern and

which causes severe environment degradation.

At the same time due to the absence of a system for disposal of clinical hazardous

waste, they are often disposed of with other wastes in open dumps operated by

Local Authorities. A few hospitals are equipped with incinerators to burn clinical

wastes, in others where segregation of wastes takes place, clinical wastes are

burnt within hospital premises.

Due to non-availability of clinical wastes disposal systems, majority of clinical

wastes are burned in a pit or on open dumps within the hospital premises which

causes health hazards and adverse environmental impacts. A few hospitals are

equipped with incinerators where all clinical wastes are burnt.

Table 6.2-- Advantages/Disadvantage of Waste Disposal Methods

LANDFILLING

Advantages:

Most Municipal wastes are land filled without treatment or with little treatment.

Co- disposal of small quantities of hazardous materials with Municipal wastes is widely practiced and considered safe.

Disadvantages:

Main environmental problems associated with land filling is pollution of ground water

completed landfill areas can settle and requires maintenance, proper planning, design, and operation

INCINERATION

47

Advantages:

requires minimum land

can be operated in any weather

produces stable odor-free residue

refuse volume is reduced by half

Disadvantages:

expensive to build and operate

high energy requirement

requires skilled personnel and continuous maintenance

OPEN DUMPING

Advantages:

Inexpensive and most of them are small and less than one ha in size.

Most of them are located in low- lying marshy lands and abandoned paddy lands.

Disadvantages:

Causes various environmental impacts such as offensive odour, pollution of ground water and run off pollution, air pollution and health hazards.

Finding suitable site for garbage disposal is a serious matter of concern for in urban areas.

Composting

Excellent method of recycling biodegradable wastes

Keeps organic wastes out of land filling.

Provides nutrients to the soil

Increase beneficial soil organisms(Warms)

Reduce the need for fertilizer and Pesticides

Protect soils from erosion

Environmental problems may rise when waste is composted without non compostable matter like metals and plastics being removed.

RECYCLING

Advantages:

Conserve resources for our children’s future

Prevent emission of many green house gases and water pollutants

Save Energy

Supplies valuble raw materials to industry

Create jobs

Stimulates the development of greater technologies

Reduce the need for new landfills and incinerations.

Disadvantages:

expensive

some wastes cannot be recycled

technological push needed

separation of useful material from waste difficult

48

Effects of Solid Waste

Large quantities of solid waste are subjected to uncontrolled, unscientific,

and incomplete combustion which in turn results in release of number of

pollutants, in atmosphere which cause air pollution.

Large quantities of chemicals are quickly pushed into drains rivers causing

immense damage to human health and ecology.

Pollution of ground water which takes place when leachate from refuse

dump enters into surface or ground water.

Mining solid wastes is also dangerous particularly for the mine workers. They

suffer from toxic reactions in the physiological process of human body.

Waste prevention and Minimization

Prevention means eliminating or reducing the quantity of wastes which is

produced in the first place, Thus reducing the quantity of waste which must be

managed. Prevention can take the form of reducing the quantities of materials,

used in a process or reducing the quantity of harmful materials which may be

contained in the products.

Prevention is the most desirable waste management option as it eliminates the

need for handling transporting, recycling or disposal of waste. It provides the

highest level of environmental protection by optimizing the use of resources and

by removing a potential source of pollution.

Minimization includes any process or activity that avoids or reduces or waste at it

sources or result in reducing or recycling. Waste prevention and minimization

measures can be applied to all stages of the lifecycle of the product including the

production process, the marketing, utilization stages up to discarding the product

at the end of life stage.

By examining the each stage in a life cycle of a product, it may be possible that

the quantities of waste produced at each stage can be reduced. During the design

stage of a product consideration can be given to the type of materials to be used,

quantity of materials and the recyclability of the product once it reaches the its

end of the life.

49

Summary

One of the fundamental problems in Solid Waste Management is the lack of proper

waste disposal facilities. At present nearly all of the solid wastes collected by the local

Authorities is unloaded at open dumping or used for land filling. Institutional

strengthening and capacity building with special emphasize on local Authorities need to

be addressed to effective solid waste management.

Solid waste need to be

managed in accordance with

the “3R “principal to

minimize the wastes with

special emphasize on reduce,

reuse and recycle, wastes

which are waste preventive

approaches. As an Initial step

measures should be taken to

reduce waste generation and

to encourage recycling at

domestic point sources.

Sorting out of the waste at

the domestic point itself is

the key prerequisite to

ensure successful recycling of

material.

It is important to carry out

necessary awareness

programs to encourage the

minimization of waste

generation at sources. These

programmes should include

waste minimization and

recycling possibilities as well

as emphasize health impacts of haphazard waste disposal.

At the same time it is important to develop alternative methods for waste management

depending on the waste quantities and characteristics.

There is no clear single solution for the entire country since solutions suitable for urban

areas may not necessarily be the best option for rural areas.

Plisaru Waste Management Project

The Pilisaru Project was established in the Central

Environmental Authority (CEA) with effect from 1st January

2008. The total estimated cost of the project Is Rs 5.6 Billion

for the three year period and it has been further extended

for a period of 3 years from 2011.The project aim is to

address the issue of improper solid waste management in a

nationally coordinated approach.

Objectives:

There are five main objectives in the “Pilisaru Program”:

Development of a National Policy on Solid Waste Management

Development of a National Strategy on SWM

Effective education & awareness for all stakeholders on SWM including training & capacity building

Facilitation for LAS for implementation of SWM projects / programs

Legal reforms to strengthen effective law enforcement

By September the project has been implemented around 80

Local Authorities and provision of Infrastructure,

Equipments, Trainings and Capacity Building of Solid Waste

management for Local Authorities.

50

It is expected that the Pilisaru programme developed in line with the national policy on

solid waste management is accelerating the integrated waste Management System.

The improvement of open dumping to sanitary land filling is the key issue for Solid

Waste Management in Sri Lanka.

The waste management strategy which emphasize on “Polluter Pays Principle” should

be enforced to ensure environmentally sound treatment and disposal.

As in many other developing countries, in waste disposal in Sri Lanka has been given

relatively low priority as a result, the law enforcement is weak. As a prerequisite

efficient law enforcement should be recognized as an essential means of effective solid

waste management.

Firm commitment and active involvement of local Authorities is paramount to achieve

Sound waste management in the country and the proactive involvement attitudinal

changes of the public is equally important to achieve the above objectives.

51

Chapter- 7 Water for all and Always

Introduction Sri Lanka has one of the world's oldest hydro based civilizations with greater emphasis on

irrigation and water management beginning two and a half millennium ago. The ancient kings

build hundreds of major reservoirs and thousands of minor reservoirs all over the country to

harvest rain water and conserve water inter alia for agriculture development. As a country with

rich water resources, Sri Lanka is blessed with 103 river basins, more than 20 major wetlands,

exceptionally designed minor and major irrigation systems and significant groundwater

resources. There are 2905 km2 of inland water bodies spread all over the country. Sri Lanka

receives a mean annual rainfall of around 2080 mm to feed these water resources. Water being

an important resource in every sector, is conserved and managed in the country by several

organizations. The key issues relating to the water sector is the rapid deterioration of water

quality owning to pollution of water bodies by the industrial and domestic activities.

The provincial distribution of water bodies is given in Table 7.1

Table 7.1-: Distribution of Water Resources

Province Total Area

(km2)

Population

Density / km2

Inland Water

Bodies (km2) *

Western 3684 1588.37 91

Central 5674 466.18 99

Southern 5554 449.01 161

Northern 8884 139.81 594

Eastern 9996 159.49 635

North Western 7888 303.22 382

North Central 10472 122.78 731

Uva 8500 152.97 165

Sabaragamuwa 4968 238.35 47

Total 65610 2905

Source- Ministry of Environment

Note: * Inland Water Bodies- Manmade reservoirs, Wetlands, and major and minor irrigation

systems

52

Should we care about this …………?

Water is essential for life and human wellbeing.

It is used in both productive and consumptive

activities and contributes to rural and urban

livelihoods in myriad ways. Adequate access to

water is a prerequisite for realizing the right to

development. Water is a vital resource for all

sectors of the national economy of Sri Lanka

and for maintaining a clean and healthy

environment. Enabling unimpaired access to

freshwater for human consumption and

domestic needs and irrigated agriculture are

high priorities for national development, and

are recognized as such in the Mahinda

Chintana and the Action Plan for the Haritha

Lanka Programme. Major infrastructure

programmes to provide drinking water for all by 2016 and to provide adequate irrigation

water to optimize agriculture are presented in detail in the Randora National Integrated

Development Programme.

Sri Lanka's water resources have always been a critically important factor in all spheres

of its development. It is also an essential commodity to ensure livelihood of all

communities including human, animal and/or trees. Water resources indeed ensured

the sustainability of agriculture, which produces mainly rice, the staple food of Sri

Lankans, while supporting the cash crops production, a key sector of the economy. In

addition, water resources make key contributions such as domestic uses, agriculture,

health and sanitation, inland fisheries, hydropower generation, industrial and

commercial uses, recreational and functioning of the many industries such as tourism.

Inland Water Pollution

Sri Lanka’s inland waters include man-

made reservoirs, rivers, streams, ponds

and marshes, constituting one of the

highest densities in the world. Water

pollution in the country arises from

unwise agricultural practices with

extensive use of agro-chemical and

fertilizers, urbanization and

industrialization resulting in;

Eutrophication and blooming in stagnant water bodies

Nitrate pollution in groundwater

Spread of disease due to organic pollution,

Reduction of land values near water ways

Economic loss to the country

53

The state and impact

Water scarcity is not currently matter of greater concern in Sri Lanka, even though

regional shortages caused by low groundwater supplies have to be compensated for by

piping water from areas with a surplus.

The major pressures on water resources are agriculture, urbanization and

industrialization that change land use patterns. Excessive use of agrochemicals and

chemical fertilizers, release of industrial effluents, domestic waste and sewage and

dumping of solid waste into waterways cause unintentional (indirect) pressures. These

pressures collectively interact resulting in complex impacts on water resources.

Sri Lanka is frequently subjected to several natural hazards, mainly floods, landslides,

coastal erosion and droughts. Cyclones are less felt in the island than in the Indian

subcontinent as Sri Lanka is situated outside the cyclone belt, although the impacts of

several serious cyclones have been experienced periodically. The frequency and

intensity of these hazards are expected to increase with the outcomes of climate change

such as sea level rise and coastal flooding, changes in rainfall regimes and the rise in

ambient temperature. These factors are expected to be exacerbated by various

anthropogenic factors that already threaten freshwater resources in the island and have

resulted in many socio-economic and environmental problems.

Management/ Conservation

Water being an important

resource in every sector, is

conserved and managed by

several organizations such as

the Water Resources Board, the

National Water Supply and

Drainage Board, the Ceylon

Electricity Board, the Irrigation

Department, the Department of

Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment. The National Water Supply and Drainage

Watershed Management

The problems of catchment area of major rivers

which are being largely degraded by forest

encroachment and agricultural exploitation are now

the serious situation of the country. The effects have

caused severe erosion and sediment transportation

downstream as well as many other changes in

hydrological characteristics. The crisis has become

more serious in this decade from consequent effects

of flash flood alternate with water shortage. Then the

need of watershed management becomes more

imperative and should be taken into consideration

54

Board (NWSDB) through stakeholder consultation has prepared its corporate Plan 2007-

2011 and overall action plans on one aspect of water management, i.e. the pipe-born

water supply and wastewater disposal. This Corporate Plan consists of directly or

indirectly related conservation- oriented recommendations for water resources

development and management.

The key agencies actively involved in management of irrigation and drinking water are

given below. More than 40 agencies have a stake in the water sector, and a large

number of institutions are mandated to the management of water for public use and

irrigation.

Table 7.2- Key Agencies Involved to Irrigation and Drinking Water Management.

Key Ministries Key Agencies Other agencies /groups with

impact

Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management

Water Resources Board

Central Environmental Authority

Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage

National Water Supply and Drainage Board

National Planning Department

Ministry of Land and Land Development

The Irrigation Department

Department of Agriculture

Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development

Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka

Department of Agrarian Development

Ministry of Environment Pradeshiya Sabha Forest Department

Ministry of Disaster Management

Ceylon Electricity Board

Department of Wildlife Conservation

NARA

National Building and Research Organization (NBRO)

National Disaster Management Centre (DMC)

Provincial Councils /LA

Plantation Human Development Trust

Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI)

Farmers’ organizations

55

National policies relate in the water sector

The implementation of the National Environmental Policy (NEP) in 2003 has to

recognize the impact of human activity on the natural resources individually and on

the environment as a whole in Sri Lanka at the present time. In relation to water, the

NEP has focused on achieving the outcomes set out below.

An uninterrupted and adequate supply of water while maintaining the minimum

quality for a specified use in order to meet national needs

The catchment areas of rivers that are important sources of water, are

effectively managed to ensure good infiltration leading to groundwater recharge

and sediment-free runoff

Adequate protection given to streams and stream banks, irrigation and drainage

canals, reservoirs, tanks and other water bodies

Irrigation water is managed in order to eliminate wastage and ensure optimum

use, while ensuring that water bodies used by the public and ecologically

sensitive areas are not adversely affected by the run-off

Productivity of water use is optimized by the selection of appropriate agricultural

crops under irrigation, while giving due consideration to the need for

maintaining food security

Varieties of agricultural crops that use water economically are developed and

their use is promoted

Groundwater exploitation and contamination is regulated to ensure long term

sustainability with respect to both the quantity and quality

Wastage of water from water supply schemes is minimized.

Agricultural and aquaculture practices that minimizes the use of chemicals and

other substances are promoted while maintaining the high productivity

Industries that practice correct solid waste disposal, wastewater treatment and

disposal mechanisms, and recycling of water are promoted in order to avoid

discharging harmful effluents to the environment

Consideration given to drainage patterns, locations of water bodies, water

sensitive areas, etc., to ensure that the quality and quantity of existing ground

and surface water resources will not be adversely affected when carrying out

development activities.

56

Polluted water bodies are restored to their original (clean) condition and

maintained accordingly

Pollution of surface and ground water by human and domestic wastes (both

solid waste and wastewater) prevented through improved sanitation and

through correct treatment and disposal mechanisms

Both surface and groundwater resources are protected in terms of physical,

chemical and biological quality by avoiding improper living and livelihood. Future

development activities are planned to avoid encroachments with respect to both

living and livelihood in water sensitive areas.

The Government recognized the importance of a National Policy on Water and hence

developed an explicit National Water

Policy, which is approved by the Cabinet..

The policy states that the planning for

water management measures is done at

national, multi-basin and basin aquifer

level.

Of the important ecosystem services that

the wetlands provide are the sources of

water and groundwater replenishment.

However, these wetlands are threatened

by human activities including

reclamation, waste disposal, industrial

and domestic effluent discharges, etc.

Having identified these specific threats

that the wetlands face, the Ministry of

Environment with the participation of all

the stakeholders, formulated the

National Wetland Policy of 2004 to

protect and conserve wetland

ecosystems thus enhancing the ecosystem services from wetland habitats. The National

National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka

Programme - Strategies

1. Establish a systematic water allocation

system and improve efficiency and

equity in water distribution for various

purposes

2. Organize a rehabilitation scheme for

small tanks and revitalize the tank

cascade system developed

3. Transform the irrigation system to meet

new challenges

4. Keep drinking water sources free from

contamination through proper zoning

and control measures.

5. Integrate conservation, re-use and

recycling practices at all levels of water

use.

6. Strictly enforce the Polluter Pays

Principle for water polluting

industries/activities

7. Strengthen implementation of integrated water resource management system

8. Reduce fertilizer leaching and eutrophication.

57

Watershed Management Policy was developed in the year 2004 aiming at conservation,

rehabilitation and sustainable usage of watersheds while maintaining their

environmental characteristics with the involvement of people.

Water Shortage in Deduru Oya

Recent changes in land use activities and land cover, which took place during the last few decades, are easily observable, while inadequate water for agriculture and domestic use account for a large part of this change. Forest felling in the bank reservations and surrounding areas, sand and clay mining and encroachment of forest lands have been instrumental in fluctuating the water level and in eroding the banks of the Deduru Oya.. As a result, annual frequency and intensity of floods decreased, and the continuous flow of the stream has been hampered.The traditional water source for surface irrigation was water collected in depressions (locally known as ebas).

Once ebas have no water, farmers used to dig open ponds (agro-wells, named as Gala Linda) within their farmlands to provide water for cultivation. Using these open ponds, farmers cultivated coconuts, paddy as well as leafy vegetables. The open water ponds dried up gradually due to the reduction in the volume of water flow in the Deduru Oya, and lowering the water table because of excessive sand mining in the river bed and at the banks. Consequently, farmers who faced water scarcities for their cultivations were compelled to use tubewells. At the beginning these wells were 8-12 meters deep and now some wells are deep as 20 – 30 meters or more from the surface level

Status of Water Quality in Kelani River

The Kelani River, having the total length of 145 km and 2292 sq km of river basin is the second largest watershed and it is consider the most polluted river in Sri Lanka due to rapid growth of industries located in the close vicinity of the river and passes through the country through most populated capital city.

The main sources of water pollution in the Kelani river are land based sources such as treated and untreated industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, domestic and municipal effluents. The gravity of water pollution is apparent when examining water quality measurements of the Kelani River which meets a major part of the demand for pipe borne drinking water supplies of Colombo. The Kelani River is an important source of drinking water for the District of Colombo and there is a water supply intake point at Ambatale, 14 kilometers from the river mouth. However, sewage from low-income settlements and industrial effluents from a large number of industries are discharged conveniently to the Kelani River. In addition to organic waste, the river is also polluted with heavy metals.

Furthermore, the lower reach of the river has been subject to saline water intrusion. sand mining is particularly severe with the salt wedge has extended inwards to Ambatale.

59

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Protection

License (EPL)

In terms of the National Environmental Act, all new industries which fall into the

category of “prescribed projects” are required to undergo the EIA process. Relevant

standards for effluent discharge have been laid down in Gazette No 596/16 of 2nd

February 1990.

The CEA is responsible for the control of industrial pollution. Local and Provincial

Authorities began issuing EPLs to small and medium scale enterprises from January

1994. An EPL is required for a ‘prescribed’ activity in terms of regulation. 1159/22 of

22nd November 2000. General standards have been laid down for the discharge of

effluents into inland surface waters.

60

Chapter- 8

Green Cities for Health and Prosperity

Introduction

Although the country has a relatively low rate of urbanization, most urban areas

have specific problems associated with high population densities and inadequate per

capita land, housing and sanitation facilities. Issues related to urbanization are

mostly common in large cities and more relevant to Colombo Metropolitan Area.

Rapid urbanization of the world's population over the twentieth century is described

in the 2005 Revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects report. The global

proportion of urban population rose dramatically from 13 percent (220 million) in

1900, to 29 percent (732 million) in 1950, to 49 percent (3.2 billion) in 2005. The

same report projected that the figure is likely to rise to 60 percent (4.9 billion) by

2030. In the Sri Lankan context, the current total population is approximately 20.6

million and out of that about 4 million is considered as urban population which is

about 21 percent, out of the country’s urban population that 20 percent live in

Colombo District. In general the urban population is distributed throughout 134

cities and towns. Urban population are expected to grow from present 4 million to

6.5 million by 2030 and 30 percent of the population is expected to be living in urban

centers.

Many serious environmental and social issues are arising with this rapid

urbanization. Some of them are air pollution due to vehicular traffic and noise

pollution especially in vicinity of industrialized areas and roads with heavy traffic,

lack of proper drainage facilities and poor maintenance of canals and outfalls,

increased flooding due to filling of wetlands, pollution from industrial and domestic

wastes.

Several surveys have revealed that the proportion of households with access to safe

drinking water is about 89 percent and only about 32.5 percent have access to pipe

borne water.

61

Water could also be a

source of human health

hazard due to its association

in transmitting vector-borne

diseases, particularly in

cases where the vector life

cycle is completed in a water

medium. Malaria, Filaria,

Japanese encephalitis and

Dengue fever are some of

such diseases associate with

water. Malaria and dengue

continues to be major

health problems despite

continuous efforts made by

the Department of Health to

control the diseases.

Future development

activities in industries,

transport, communication, and power sectors have the potential for causing adverse

environmental impacts. For example, the increased infrastructure facilities for power

generation would cause increased air pollution. The action for promoting renewable

energy provides positive benefits to the environment. Similarly, in the transport

sector, the construction of highways could cause considerable environmental issues

at the development stage and air pollution when in operation. The action for

improvement of mass transports and attracting the general public to use mass

transport instead of cars is a positive aspect. It is important that these projects,

when implemented, include an environmental element to ensure minimal

environmental impact.

The National Action Plan for the Haritha Lanka Programme - Strategies:

• Develop integrated urbanization plans

to meet future environmental challenges

• Introduce state-of-the-art integrated

solid waste management and hazardous

waste management for all urban areas

• Manage urban sewage beneficially,

without causing pollution

• Develop healthy and efficient transport

networks in urban areas

• Conserve urban wetlands to maintain

ecological stability

• Institutionalize actions related to

landscape design and promoting

establishment of green cities

62

Green Cities

Features of Green Cities

"Green" describes as earth – friendly,

less-toxic, less- waste, and work more

with nature rather than against it.

Green city concept consist with several

important features in order to make

sustainable cities and some of them are:

having rooftop garden, availability of

home gardens, use of renewable (solar/

wind) energy, energy efficient building,

green buffer zone along the roads,

pedestrian pavements, availability of

bike lanes, rainwater harvesting system,

free from waste haphazard dumps, etc.

Benefit of Green Cities

Contribution to Climate Change Solutions: - through combined strategies/activities

that reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.

Natural Resources Conservation: - through wise use of materials that are renewable,

recycled/recyclable and durable.

Water and Energy Efficiency: - through the use of water saving fixtures, energy

conserving appliances and building techniques, and proximity to schools,

employment, services and public transportation.

Reduced pollution:- green building, through intelligent, environment sensitive site

design and construction methods.

Less Waste: - recycling of materials and use of durable, sustainable products.

Green Transport helps to create green

cities, for which it is required:

Introduction of more and more fuel efficient vehicles

Improvement of proper road network system

Strengthening public transport system.

Encouraging non-motorized transport (cycling, walking, etc)

Changing urban design, land use policies and settlement pattern to reduce the dependency on motorized transport systems.

Continuous air quality monitoring and introduction of new levies / program (VET Prog).

63

Positive Strength for Green Cities for Health and Prosperity

Some of the positive steps have been taken to fulfil the above said mission as

follows;

Implementation of large number of projects related to water supply, air quality

improvement, low-income housing and sanitation, and pollution abatement in

industries.

Steps taken to implement the Vehicle Emission Control Programme effectively.

Investments by many large-scale companies on environmental pollution control

methods such as water treatment plants, sewerage systems and recycling of

waste to minimize pollution and to increase the efficient management of waste

generation.

Creating awareness among the community and industrial sectors on water

pollution with the assistance of “Pavithra Ganga Programme, a regular water

quality reporting system in the Kelani River, in order to obtain the desired

behavioral change among these groups.

Adopting measures to ensure water quality through the Environment Protection

License (EPL) procedure of the CEA for polluting industries, preparation of

pollution control guidelines, and water quality monitoring in certain water

bodies.

Introduction of schemes such as the Sustainable Township Programme (STP) by

the government to provide housing for mid and low-income families, especially

those living in slums and shanties.

Enforcement of rules and regulations in the health and sanitation

According to the master plan prepared by the Urban Development Authority,

contemporary health city ideals stress the importance of a Green Lung for city-

dwellers, made up of greenery in both public and private open space, including

balcony and roof gardens. Furthermore UDA proposed and practicing to develop

parks to create the green cities with the following standards per 1000 persons area.

(table 8.1)

Table 8.1 -: Standards of the Parks

Type of Park Acres per 1000 persons

Local Park 2.0 - 2.5

District Parks 2.5 - 3.5

City Parks 1.75 - 2.0

Source: Urban Development Authority

64

The suggested guideline based on

population was that 5 to 7 acres of

land per 1000 population unit

should be devoted to recreational

facilities of which 2.0 to 2.5 acres

per 1000 people may be committed

to local/neighborhood (Micro-level)

parks and playgrounds, while the

remaining recreational land may be

allocated to city parks, playing field

and picnic grounds, etc. at the city

level. Using the above minimum

standards of 5 acres per 1000

persons, 2 acres would be for

localized and 3 acres for more

centralized facilities.

Table 8.2-: Dengue Fever Incidence

(2000-2011)

Year

Number of

cases

Number of deaths

fatality

rate

Incidence per

100,000 Population

2000 5,203 37 0.7 275

2001 5,986 54 0.9 313

2002 8,931 41 0.5 469

2003 4,749 28 0.6 250

2004 15,463 88 0.6 813

2005 5,994 28 0.5 304

2006 11,980 48 0.4 602

2007 7,332 28 0.3 368

2008 6,607 28 0.4 321

2009 35,004 346 0.9 1,420

2010 34,054 241 0.7

2011 19,372 140

(up to October)

0.7

Source: Ministry of Health

Green Jobs Promotion

The Ministry of Environment organized and

conducted Green Job Awards programme to

recognize and honor the persons and

organizations that are engaging in green jobs. The

major themes considered in green jobs awarding

are;

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation,

Agriculture, Climate change and Disaster

Management, Transport, Power & Energy,

Industrial and Enterprise development, Waste

management and pollution Control, Water

Resources Management, Soil Conservation and

land improvement, Urban development and

Spatial Planning, Environmental Education and

Campaigns

65

The Ministry of Environment has taken number of steps to establish the green cities. Some of them are as follows;

Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) programme In order to control the air pollution caused by fuel emissions comes from vehicles, the VET system has been introduced. The programme is based on “Polluter pays principle” to cover the cost of pollution. This programme has been implemented since 2008. There is however only one air quality monitoring station, located at the Colombo Fort that has monitored ambient air quality on a continuous basis since 1997. Based on data from this station, the average annual ambient PM10 levels in Colombo have remained relatively stable, ranging from 69 to 82 μg/m3, which is above the maximum permissible level specified in the national ambient air quality standard of 50 μg/m3. However, the annual average PM10 concentration in 2010 showed a marked decrease with compare to the 2008. It showed 70 μg/m3 in 2008 and 64 μg/m3 in 2010. Although not proven yet, this could be attributed to the implementation of the Vehicle Emission Testing Program from 2008 by the ministry of Environment.

Pavithra Ganga programme

The objective of this programme is to keep the water bodies clean in the country and

one of the major objectives of the Pavithra Ganga Programme is to assist relevant

local authorities to keep the water quality of the main water bodies of the country in

an acceptable condition for human use. This programme for the Kelani River in the

Western Province is implemented as a pilot project and 26 water quality information

display boards have been established along the river to disseminate information of

the water quality among the general public.

Dayata Sevana- National Tree Planting programme

2,902,851 trees were planted on 15th of November 2010 being part of a Green Country theme outlined in the Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future Policy of the Government. This programme was conducted with multiple benefits in mind such as conservation of micro catchments, support for the maintenance for the water levels of the rivers, canals, streams, ponds and reservoirs and the programme in turn will ensure water availability for agricultural purposes in time.

66

Best practices in green city concept

Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha,

Battaramulla

67

Chapter- 9

Greening the Industries

Should we care about …………………….?

Sri Lanka’s industrial sector, driven by private enterprise, is a major contributor to

the country’s economy. Its contribution to the GDP has progressively increased over

the years and now stands at 28.7 percent (2010), second only to the services sector.

Expectations are that it will continue to gain in importance in its capacity for

providing employment and its potential for earning foreign exchange.

Industrialization may also be a major partner in increasing global warming resulting

in climate change impacts. In the current debates on climate change and its impacts,

worldwide experts are engaged in to discussion on possibilities for greening

economies and as a part of greening economies, the greening modalities are going

to be applied for the industries too. Under the obligations of UNFCCC, Viena

Green Growth

Green growth was adopted at the 2005 Ministerial Conference on Environment and

Development in Asia and the Pacific (MCED) as a key strategy for achieving sustainable

development and for achieving Millennium Development Goals 1 (poverty reduction)

and 7 (environmental sustainability). Green growth can be defined as economic

progress that fosters environmentally sustainable, low-carbon and socially inclusive

development. Pursuing green growth involves outlining a path to achieving economic

growth and well-being while using fewer resources and generating fewer emissions in

meeting demands for food production, transport, construction and housing and energy.

Policies and investments that promote green growth seek to improve the “eco-efficiency

of growth”, which involves minimizing resource use and negative environmental impacts

per unit of benefit generated by the economy. Green growth is a pre-requisite for

building a green economy. A green economy is characterized by substantially increased

investments in economic activities that build on and enhance the earth’s natural capital

or reduce ecological scarcities and environmental risks – activities such as renewable

energy, low-carbon transport, energy and water-efficient buildings, sustainable

agriculture and forest management and sustainable fisheries.

(“Preview Green Growth Resources and Resilience - 2010”)

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Convention, Kiyoto Protocol etc, Sri Lanka is also examing the possibilities of

introducing green practices for tourism, transport, energy, tea, rubber, hotel, bank

industries etc.

It is clear that environmental problems especially pollution and global warming, are

seriously affecting the world. With human vulnerability to environmental change

reaching unprecedented levels, environmental friendly development has now been

recognized as the key to the long term sustainability of any economic activity.

People’s livelihood as well as their health and well-being are inextricably linked to

the biological and physical properties and proper functioning of the natural

ecosystems. Incorporating environmental requirements into the overall business

programmes is probably the right thing to do, both from the business economic and

sustainability perspectives.

Existing and planned responses

The country’s development policy framework “Mahinda Chintana – Vision for the

Future” has clearly stated that what are the national policy interventions to be made

on greening the economy. According to the policy framework,

1. Public transport and related

infrastructure systems will be

improved using green technologies.

2. An environment friendly transport

system will be established

throughout the country with the

improvement of vehicle emission

standards.

3. Innovative methods will be

introduced to the agriculture sector development for preventing environmental

pollution.

4. Cleaner production technology will be introduced to all industries to exercise

environmental care and social responsibility.

National Action Plan for Haritha

Lanka Programme- Strategies

Consolidate Cleaner production in Industries

Establish Eco-industrial parks

Certification of industries

Greening the Supply Change

Closing the Loop and Industrial Ecology

Incentives for environmental friendly investments

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5. Renewable energy sources will be established to negate the effects of certain

forms of pollution.

6. An environment friendly sustainable tourism instead of relying only on leisure

seeking popular tourism.

7. All industries are encouraged to run as eco-friendly industries through

introduction of effective waste management systems.

Moving towards sustainable

development involves major changes

in the production and consumption

patterns in any country. The current

multiple global crises, both economic

and ecological, signal all of us to the

need for such transformation by

moving towards a green economy

which refers to the process of

configuring business and

infrastructure to deliver better

returns on natural, human and

physical capital investment while

reducing the adverse impacts on the

environment. Ministry of Environment has taken timely suitable several initiatives to

make promotions towards a green economy.

National Green Job Awards

Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurs, industrialists, and all stakeholders who contribute their

share for environmental conservation and anti-pollution are to be recognized for

their excellence in green practice, strategy and products by presenting them with

National Green Job Awards. Ministry of Environment has launched an awarding

scheme from 2009 to promote green employment in the country. Individuals,

teams, and organizations in relation to their contribution in initiating, promoting and

carrying out environmental friendly technologies/activities are invited for the award

scheme.

Fields for National Green Job Awards

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation

Agriculture and Livestock Climate Change and Disaster

Management Transport, Power and Energy Industrial and Enterprise

Development Waste Management and Pollution

Control Water Resource Management Soil Conservation and Land

Improvement Urban Development and Spatial

Planning Environmental Education and

Campaigns

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Criteria used for assessing the Green Job Awards

Scale of the environmentally beneficial outcome

Extent to which the particular benefit (outcome) has been disseminated in

society

Reduction in resource depletion

Energy and water efficiency

Minimization of waste generation

Ability for replication

Impact on addressing environmental issues of particular importance in Sri

Lanka

Impact on improving the quality of life

Overall positive impact on human health

Initiatives taken and successfully carried out at the Local Government Level

Sustainability of the initiatives/activities

Contribution towards promotion of social values and attitudes in responsible

consumption of natural resources

Overall performance of the applicant (individual, group or organization) in

regard to maintaining a healthy environment

A Pioneer who has applied the concept of sustainability in hospitality setting

“The Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka represents a hotel that is located in the midst of some

of the most intact biodiversity of Asia. The hotel is designed in such a way that it genuinely

blends into the surroundings, for instance by means of pools and patios that are located in

and around the surrounding rock outcrops. Materials used are mainly natural materials,

and solar energy and energy efficient fluorescent lamps are applied. A state-of-the-art

recycling system ensures the elimination of wastes and the hotel (personnel) is involved in

a number of local community and sustainability programmes and projects, for instance

with respect to rehabilitating the rainforest surrounding the hotel. Kandalama the winner

of multiple Green Globe awards, has been awarded the LEED Pilot project Bronze medal

and numerous other awards linked to sustainability”.

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National Green Reporting System

Green Reporting System has been

recognized as a tool which would be able to

provide a vital role in achieving sustainable

development in a country. A sustainability

report of an organization will enable it to

measure, disclose and be accountable to

both internal and external stakeholders

with regard to its organizational

performance. The Ministry of Environment

has launched the National Green Reporting

System of Sri Lanka in 2011 in collaboration

with the key stakeholders to enhance the

environmental, social and economic

performance of industry and service sectors of the country. This intern will facilitate

industries and services of the country to improve their corporate sustainability

performance and stay in the global and local competitive market systems. The

Ministry of Environment has prepared guidelines for the green reporting system that

can be used as a framework for enabling organizations to become transparent

through sustainability reporting.

The National Green Reporting System comprises of fifty (50) indicators

encompassing twenty four (24) environmental, twenty (20) social and six (06)

economic indicators. There are five (05) reporting Tiers/Levels for entities who are

interested to be committed with the system.

The reporting system provides five Tiers that the industry/company/entity could

select one of those for reporting. 67 (Sixty Seven) companies have already

committed with the National Green Reporting System in Sri Lanka.

A two day training programme on green reporting for the entities which have

already associated under Tier 2, 3, 4 and 5 was held by the Ministry of Environment.

Benefits of Green Reporting System

Improved operational performance

Improved stakeholder relationship

Improved risk management

Improved investor relationships

Identification of new markets and/or business opportunities

Improved public value of organization

Ensured competition in the international market

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The objective of the training programme is to provide the required knowledge for

the entities to prepare reports and to identify performance indicators and

parameters for the preparation of the reports. Technical assistance will be provided

by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) through the SWITCH Asia programme

funded by the European Union.

National Green Accounting System

System of Environmental and Economic Accounting (SEEA) popularly known as

“Green Accounting” is also one of catalysts for cleaner environment. Within the

conventional System of National Accounts, policy makers has neglected the value of

environmental goods and services because of the complexity of accounting/valuing

of those since are not exchanging in the market. However, in the current scenario,

the policy makers have well recognized the importance and necessity of

incorporation of the ecosystems values into the development process for sustainable

achievements.

Sri Lanka is endowed with a rich profile of natural resources, which is consisted of

numerous productive physical and biological assets. Recent attempts to achieve a

higher rate of economic growth have brought this heritage of environmental

resources under constant stress. Most of economic development activities are

completely depend on natural resources which have the environmental services to

the mankind as well as to the ecosystem itself. Further, it has a positive impact to

human development as well as, negative impacts to the human kind and the natural

ecosystems. Therefore, achieving the sustainable development goals of the nation’s

demands, green economy should be promoted and all the aspects of natural

resources utilized for socio-economic development in the country and the outcome

of them must be valued.

The country now faces a complex set of environmental issues that include various

forms of land degradation, deforestation, loss of bio diversity, indoor and outdoor air

pollution, pollution of water sources, and mismanagement of solid waste, and over-

exploitation of biological resources. Therefore, achieving the sustainable

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development goals of the nation demands formulation and implementation of wise

policies that can positively contribute to the economy as well as the environment of

the country. With the way the world is moving toward a more environmentally

sound future, it is time for accountants to go green as well.

The Ministry of Environment is responsible for providing leadership to manage the

environment in order to ensure the national commitment for sustainable

development for the benefit of present and future generations. Accordingly, the

Ministry of Environment has taken steps to develop a Green Accounting Mechanism

in Sri Lanka to evaluate the ecosystem services and their linkages with the economic

development and the real contribution of natural resources to the National

Economy.

Accordingly, Ministry has initiated to valuing forestry sector contribution to the

National Economy of the country based on the data availability. It is used Total

Economic valuation method. Ministry is planned to accounting for Timber, Fuel

Wood, Non Timber Forest products and carbon, accounting for Bio- diversity Values,

accounting for Ecosystem Services and accounting for non-use values. Data required

for accounting timber, fuel wood, non-timber forest products and carbon is being

collected from relevant agencies. Eco-tourism values and pharmaceutical values etc

will be considered for accounting bio-diversity values and soil conservation, water

augmentation, flood prevention etc will be considered for accounting ecosystem

services.

Cleaner Production Application

Unsustainable consumption patterns continue to result in increasing demand on

natural resources threatening to ecosystem stability in every sector in the country.

Therefore, developing cleaner production policies and strategies for different sectors

would be of vital importance today to improve the productivity thereby reduce the

depletion of natural resources, pollution and production cost. A National Cleaner

Production Policy and Strategy has been developed by the Ministry of Environment

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in 2005 in order to promote ecologically sustainable production and consumption

practices throughout the country. In line with this umbrella policy, sectoral cleaner

production policies for tourism, industry, health and agriculture have been prepared

in close collaboration with relevant sector lead agency and other stakeholder

institutions.

One of the significant improvements from the health sector in implementing the

cleaner production policy is that the health sector has taken many steps to train

medical staff on environment and occupational health. Cleaner production was

included in the curriculum of the postgraduate (M.Sc.) course on community

medicine. Cleaner production was also included in the Environmental Health Policy.

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Chapter -10

Knowledge for Right Choices

While socio-economic development is of utmost importance, it is equally necessary

so protect country’s natural resources by safeguarding the environment. This

requires emphasis on judicious use of natural resources and environmental services

today and saving for future as well. Therefore, there is an overwhelming need for all

countries and each and every citizen to make a concerted effort to meet the

challenge of balancing economic development with proper caring for environment,

and this message had to be accepted and acted upon by all countries at the highest

political level. Political will supported by a clear understanding of the need to

balance economic development with environmental protection is essential for

accomplishing sustainable development. The importance of sustainable

development was highlighted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and

Development, dubbed the Earth Summit, which was held in 1992.

Sri Lanka’s strategy for sustainable development focuses on eradicating poverty,

ensuring competitiveness in the economy, improving social development, ensuring

good governance and maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Therefore the

state has to take measure to support economic development while ensuring while

such development does not degrade the environment and its natural resource base.

This indicates the very basis of Sustainable Development which emphasis the

requirement of meeting current human needs while preserving the environment and

natural resources needed by the future generations which ensure environmental

conservation, economic stability and social equity. Therefore, achieving sustainability

rests to a larger extent on national efforts but it is also equally important to

understand the vitally important place of global factors in influencing country’s

efforts aimed in achieving it.

This means that the state policy required aiming at balancing economic development

while ensuring environmental conservation guided through a strong political

leadership and commitment at every level such as international, regional, national,

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provincial and local authority. Not only the political leadership but also each and

every government, nongovernment and community members country wide should

adhered to a set of ethics and norms which influence the whole country that would

effectively nurture and protect the environment and fulfill the aspirations of the

society.

It recognizes that pursuit of sustainable development requires that all parties such as

legislators, policy makers, law enforcement officers, developers, professionals, and

all other players in civil society are well informed, sensitized on the issues, problems,

solutions, choices and alternatives. This can be achieved through information

management, proper research dissemination, formal education, environmental

training, media coverage and a comprehensive awareness creation programs.

Guidelines for Sustainable Development

To identify a knowledge base that will support sustainability goals, citizens must first

select goals.

Herman Daly, author of For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward

Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future, gives three conditions of a

sustainable society ie:

Rates of use of renewable resources do not exceed their rates of regeneration.

Rates of use of nonrenewable resources do not exceed the rate at which sustainable renewable substitutes are developed.

Rates of pollution emission do not exceed the assimilative capacity of the environment.

Donnella Meadows, author of Limits to Growth, has outlined the following general

guidelines for restructuring world systems toward sustainability:

Minimize the use of nonrenewable resources.

Prevent erosion of renewable resources.

Use all resources with maximum efficiency.

Slow the exponential growth of population and physical capital.

Monitor the condition of resources, the natural environment, and the welfare of humans.

Improve response time for environmental stress. Sustainability places great emphasis upon the need to ensure a better quality of life for

all, in a just and equitable manner, whilst living within the limits of supporting

ecosystems."

Therefore, communities must choose culturally appropriate and locally relevant

sustainability goals that reflect their current and future life conditions and needs.

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Therefore, Sustainability requires a population that is aware of the goals of a

sustainable society and has the knowledge and skills to contribute to those goals.

The need for an informed citizenry becomes ever more important. An informed

citizenry, which lends support to enlightened policies and government initiatives, can

help governments enact sustainable measures. Citizens also need to be

knowledgeable consumers as well. In today's world, people are surrounded by media

(e.g., television, radio, newspapers, magazines) and advertisements (e.g., bill boards,

banners on world wide web sites etc). As a result, people must become media

literate and able to analyze the messages of corporate advertisers. Therefore, media

should be sensitized and educated for responsible investigative reporting resulting

effective dissemination of information on current and future environmental affairs

leading to deviating from sustainable development goals. All in all it is emphasizing

the need for a well formulated, comprehensive Environment Education program to

reach and aware every strata of the society on sustainability.

Years of resource management has shown that people whom aware of and informed

about resource-management decisions and programs can help achieve sustainable

development goals. In contrast, an uninformed public can undermine resource-

management programs resulting environmental degradation restricting economic

development and increasing poverty.

The effectiveness of any education programs especially environmental education

programs could be re-enforced /improved to a greater extent by coupling them with

better training programs.

Every country needs and environmentally literate citizenry and work force to help

guide nations in implementing their sustainability plans. Plans have to be formulated

for all sectors - including business, industry, higher education, governments, non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), and community organizations to train their

leaders in environmental management and they should be encouraged to provide

training to their workers, membership etc.

Training informs people of accepted practices and procedures and gives them skills

to perform specific tasks. In contrast, education is a socially transforming process

that gives people knowledge, skills, perspectives, and values through which they can

participate in and contribute to their own well-being and that of their community

and nation.

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Educating the current school going population is more productive in achieving

environment sustainability than other groups due to the reason that it could create

a generation which is morally sensitive and ethically responsible in Environmental

conservation. Investing for such activities should be seen as an investment for a

better future.

Therefore, all these needs sending a message to administrators and educators that

there is a need for "reorienting education" at every level (i.e., nursery school through

university) in order to integrate environmental concerns into formal and informal

education systems to ensure environmental sustainability to achieve country’s

sustainable development goals. An appropriately reoriented basic education includes

more principles, skills, perspectives, and values related to sustainability than are

currently included in most education systems encompassing a vision that integrates

environment, economy, and society. Reorienting education also requires teaching

and learning knowledge, skills, perspectives, and values that will guide and motivate

people to pursue sustainable livelihoods, to participate in a democratic society, and

to live in a sustainable manner.

The need to reorient basic and secondary education to address sustainability is very

important and it is of paramount importance to reorient the tertiary and vocational

education for the same too. Society's future leaders and decision makers are

educated there. If these young people are expected to lead all sectors of society

(e.g., government, medicine, agriculture, forestry, law, business, industry,

engineering, education, communications, architecture, and arts) in a world striving

toward sustainability, then the current policy makers, administration and curriculum

developers must reorient university and vocational training institute curriculums to

include the many and complex facets of sustainability.

Especially under the post-war situation and peace prevailing in the whole island,

there is a great potential of using Police and security forces personnel for

environmental conservation activities which will enhance the environmental

sustainability and peace and reconciliation process. Therefore, a special attention

should be paid to utilize this useful human-resource by providing them with a

comprehensive education and training program on environment sustainability.

In reorienting education to address sustainability, program developers need to

capture the importance of traditional wisdom that lead our fore-fathers to live in

harmony with the environment through their traditional ecological knowledge.

Indigenous traditions often carry with them the values and practices that embody

sustainable resource use. Although returning to indigenous lifestyles would not be a

feasible an option today especially for current urban society, the values and major

tenets of indigenous traditions can be adapted to life in the 21st century.

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All these reiterate the need for reorienting education to address sustainability is

something that should occur throughout the formal education system - that includes

universities, professional schools (e.g., law and medicine), and technical schools as

well as in all appropriate sectors in addition to primary and secondary education.

Because education and training on sustainable development is a lifelong process, the

formal, non-formal, and informal educational sectors should work together to

accomplish local sustainability goals. In an ideal world, the three sectors would

divide the enormous task of education and training on sustainable development for

the entire population by identifying target audiences from the general public as well

as themes of sustainability. They would then work within their mutually agreed

fields. This division of effort would reach a broader spectrum of people and prevent

redundant efforts.

Environmental Pioneer Brigades Program

This is an innovative Environmental Conservation program designed for young

generation introduced through the primary and secondary school system by the

Central Environment Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

The program aims at training school children as key messengers of environmental

protection and conservation by creating environmental knowledge, developing

skills needed environmental management and promoting attitudes need for

environmental protection and conservation in them. It is envisaged that this

group through behavioral and attitudinal changes could be mobilized to develop

an environmentally sensitive and concerned society in the long run.

Under this program, children having an interest in environment are selected and

trained to provide leadership in environment management and conservation and

are expected to play catalytic role in changing attitude and behavior of citizens at

large.

The Environment Pioneer Brigade Program aims to achieve twin objectives of

conserving the environment as well as educating the citizens on environment

conservation

The goal of the program is “to create a group of citizens who are capable of

making environmentally sound decisions”.

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Strategies of Haritha Lanka Program on Knowledge for Right Choice

1. Disseminate information periodically on sustainable development to the

political sector

2. Promote behavior of students in support of the sustainable development

3. Integrate physical, ecological and other environmental sensitive policies and

practices within the school education system

4. Incorporate sustainable development aspects in the curricular of Universities

5. Incorporate sustainable development aspects in the curricular of Technical

Colleges

6. Promote behavioral changes amongst youth towards sustainable production

and consumption

7. Promote women to become change agents towards sustainable production

and consumption practices

8. Promote sustainable production and consumption practices amongst the

general public

9. Disseminate knowledge on Sustainable Development among the private sector

and other professional bodies

10. Ensure Environmental concerns are adequately incorporated at the project

planning stage of all projects

For a community or a nation, implementing Education and Training on Sustainable

Development is a huge task. It has been accepted that the formal education alone

could not carry this education and training responsibility. The non-formal education

sector (e.g., nature centers, nongovernmental organizations, public health

educators, and agricultural extension agents) and the informal educational sector

(e.g., local television, newspaper, and radio) of the community must work

cooperatively with the formal educational sector for the education of people in all

generations, sectors and communities to achieve sustainability and sustainability

goals of a country. If this is to be achieved successfully, the society needs to be

ethically and morally responsible for the sustenance of the environment and lead

their life styles in sustainable development pathway.

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EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN SRI

LANKA

This study is the result of the decision of the Ministry of Environment concerning

the need for an Evaluation of the Current Status of Environmental Education in Sri

Lanka.

Objectives of the study (a) Identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints of environmental education in the present Education Systems in Sri Lanka, (b) Develop a comprehensive National Strategy and an Action Plan to integrate environmental aspects into the education system in Sri Lanka, and

(c) Identification of priority programs to be implemented.

(d) Review the present status of Environmental Education, past experiences, lessons learned and identify future opportunities/strategies under the following systems: (a) School Education System - (i) General Awareness and (ii) Specific

subject areas covered

(b) Tertiary Education System

(i) University Education System -Individual universities and

system as a whole.

(ii) Technical Education System

(iii) Other Education Systems

(e) Review the present status of environmental education, past experience

and lessons learned among (indicated) target groups and identify future

opportunities/strategies:

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PART II

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Chapter 11

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MINISTRY OF

ENVIRONMENT

Policy Formulation, Planning and Monitoring

National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme

The National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme was initiated with a view to

addressing the critical environmental issues that, if left unattended, would frustrate

our economic and social development programmes. The National Action Plan was

developed under the Haritha Lanka Programme covering ten broad thrust areas

namely; Clean Air – Everywhere, Saving the Fauna, Flora and Ecosystems, Meeting

the Challenges of Climate Change, Wise Use of Coastal Belt and the Sea Around,

Responsible Use of the Land Resources, Doing Away with the Dumps, Water for All

and Always, Green Cities for Health and Prosperity, Greening the Industries,

Knowledge for Right Choices.

This Action Plan is a product of the concerted efforts of all relevant ministries who

actively participated in its development. Making its preparation a high level

participatory process was intended to ensure that sustainability would not just

remain a concept but would translate into practical reality. The Action Plan includes

short term, medium term, and long term targets spanning from 2009 to 2016, with

comprehensive achievable and measurable 82 strategies and 375 actions. The Plan is

implemented by 36 Ministries and 70 governmental and non governmental

institutions.

The National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme was launched at the 1st

meeting of NCSD held in July 2009 under the chairmanship of H.E. the President of

Sri Lanka.

Ten Coordinating Committee Meetings were held for each mission and discussed the

progress of those missions with line agencies. At the last coordinating committee

meetings of each mission, it was suggested to revise the National Action Plan for

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Haritha Lanka Programme, as the activities of the line agencies are changed and new

activities are introduced. Therefore, the Sustainable Development Division collected

the progress of activities implemented by line agencies and amendments to be done

and new activities to be incorporated to the 1st Edition of National Action Plan for

Haritha Lanka Programme.

Formulation of National Climate Change Policy (NCCP)

Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges which we face today.

The absence of a national overarching policy on climate change is a major barrier in

the country to tackle the problem related to climate change . Therefore, the

Ministry has taken steps to formulate National Climate Change Policy on Climate

Change with the financial support from the UN-Habitat. Now it is ready for obtaining

approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Research Studies on Climate Change

To facilitate climate change related research and distribution of research results to

trigger policy reforms and actions is one of the main objectives of the climate change

secretariat. A research study on on climate change trends in different agro-

ecological regions of the country was completed during this period.

Preparation of SAARC Action Plan on Climate Change from year 2009

-2011

Ministers of Environment of all the eight nations of the South Asian Association for

Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have adopted a three-year Action Plan on Climate

Change at the SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change, held in Dhaka from 1st

to 2nd July 2008. The Action Plan, covering 2009-2011, focuses on seven thematic

areas - from adaptation of climate change to regional stance for international

negotiations.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to implement national obligations

under the SAARC Action Plan on Climate Change in collaboration with relevant line

Ministries and other agencies. It is necessary to periodically report to the SAARC

85

secretariat on the national obligations. Action Plan for the year 2009 was prepared

and submitted to the SAARC Secretariat and 2010 - 2011 Action Plans were prepared

in collaboration with the line Ministries and agencies. Commitments under the

Thimpu statement agreed to be implemented in the 10th SAARC summit were

communicate with relevant line agencies.

First meeting of the inter-governmental expert group on climate change was

conducted on 29th -30th June 2011 at Hotel Galadari.

Implementation of the activities under the Adaptation Fund

An Adaptation Fund was established under the KP to finance concrete adaptation

projects and programmes in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to

the adverse effects of climate change.

A country can choose to submit project proposals for funding either through an

accredited National Implementing Entity (NIE) or through Multilateral Implementing

Entity (MIE). Ministry of Environment is the National Implementing Entity ( NIE) of

the Adaptation Fund of UNFCCC. The NIE will bear the full responsibility for the

overall management of the projects and programmes financed by the Adaptation

Fund, and will bear all financial, monitoring and reporting responsibilities. During the

reporting period, a project proposal on reducing vulnerability of communities and

ecosystems to the adverse impacts of climate change in critical river basins of Sri

Lanka was submitted to the Adaptation Fund Board through MIE.

National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the Government of Sri Lanka’s

initiative on climate change adaptation through the provision of a technical

assistance (TA) grant titled “Strengthening Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation.

The assistance is provided through the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) of the

Ministry of Environment.

Five sector vulnerability profiles (SVPs) on i. Agriculture and Fisheries, ii. Water, iii.

Human Health,iv. Urban Development Human Settlements and Economic

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Infrastructure, v. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services were prepared in several

consultations of wider stakeholders. Based on these sector vulnerability profiles,

National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2011-2016) was adopted by the

Ministry of Environment with a view to address climate change adaptation to ensure

that its economic development can continue without disruption or setbacks, and

investments in poverty reduction, food and water security and public health will not

be undone. Information, Education and Communication Strategy for Climate Change

Adaptation in Sri Lanka was prepared and disseminated.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

CDM is a mechanism defined under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol. CDM

will assist Annex 1 parties in achieving compliance with their quantified

emission limitations and reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol

and Non Annex 1 parties in achieving sustainable development. Energy,

Transport, Waste Management, Forestry and Industry sectors are

identified potential areas to promote CDM projects in Sri Lanka as a party

in the non-annex 1. National Policy on Clean Development Mechanism

was finalized as an interim policy. This policy aims to establish the

institutional, financial, human resources and legislative frame work

necessary for Sri Lanka to participate in the CDM under the Kyoto

Protocol effectively.

-Seven projects were received CDM credits upto now. (Registered under UNFCCC)

-Fifteen projects are in the Validation Process

-Twenty projects were received the Host Country Approval

-124 projects were received in Principal Approval

-6 recommendations were granted for less than 5MW projects (Biomass and Mini

hydro)

-Necessary data has been requested from CEB to publish the Grid Emission Factors

for Sri Lanka.

-Forest definition was sent to the UNFCCC.

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Capacity Development of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Financial assistance from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) was

received to build the capacities of CDM promotion in Sri Lanka. The overall objective

of this assistance was to strengthen the institutional mechanism of CDM promotion

in Sri Lanka through capacity development of the Ministry of Environment and its

climate change secretariat and other relevant government agencies. In this context,

30 public sector officers were trained through two training programmes. 80 Private

sector officers were created awareness on CDM through two awareness

programmes. A web portal on CDM was prepared ( www.climatechange/dna ).

National Project Portfolio for CDM was prepared and ready to upload to the DNA

web. In addition, promotion materials on registered CDM projects in Sri Lanka and

CDM guide are being prepared.

Sri Lanka Carbon Fund (SLCF)

The SLCF was established on 09.04.2008 (Reg. no. PV63181) by a Cabinet decision as

a company registered under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007. This is a State owned

private company-Government being the majority share holder with 51percent of the

equity. The balance share capital is to be raised from other sources including the

private sector.

Objectives of SLCF:

-To provide technical and financial assistance to the CDM Project developers for the

preparation of project documentations.

-To facilitate bundling of small CDM projects

-To facilitate access to capital funding for CDM projects through commercial banks.

-To provide investment capital for CDM projects

- To engage in Carbon trading through purchasing and subsequent sale for Carbon

credits

During the reporting period, a new business plan was drafted and possible CDM projects

were identified for Certified Emission Reduction (CER).

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Technology Needs Assessment

The Ministry of Environment is responsible for providing policy guidance to address

the cross sectoral nature of major environmental challenges caused by climate

change. Also it is required to fulfill the commitments under the UNFCCC and Kyoto

Protocol. In the context of the UNFCCC process, a Technology Needs Assessment

(TNA) is a country driven set of activities directed mainly at identification and

prioritization of climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies.

TNA is a means by which to track evolving needs in developing countries for new

equipment, techniques, practical knowledge and skills. The main objectives of this

TNA are to identify and prioritize technologies that can contribute to adaptation and

mitigation goals of climate change and to identify barriers hindering the acquisition,

development and diffusion of prioritized technologies, and to develop Technology

Action Plans (TAP) specifying activities and enabling frameworks to overcome the

barriers and facilitate the transfer, adaption and diffusion of selected technologies in

Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Environment with assistance from UNEP/GEF is conducting TNA and

then going to prepare a Technology Action Plan for the selected sectors based on a

market and barrier analysis. In this process, TNA Committee has been appointed as a

policy level decision making body. Five sub sectors (food, water, coastal, health and

biodiversity for the adaptation sector and three sub sectors ( transport, energy and

industry ) for the mitigation sector have already been identified for the TNA. The

Ministry is working on selecting a team leader and sector specific experts to carry

out the assessment.

Adaptation Knowledge Platform

The Ministry of Environment has taken initiatives to establish an adaptation

knowledge platform to strengthen adaptive capacity and to facilitate climate change

adaptation in Asia at local, national and regional levels. It focuses on 3 pillars; i. -

Establishing a regional system for sharing knowledge on climate change adaptation,

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making it easy to understand and available to those who need it. Ii. -Generating new

knowledge about adaptation that national and regional policy makers can use as

they plan for climate change. Iii. -Promoting the application of new and existing

knowledge about climate change in Asia.

Second National Communication on Climate Change

Sri Lanka ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC) by a cabinet decision in November 1993 and is among the first 50

countries that have ratified it. As an obligation of the UNFCCC, Sri Lanka is required

to prepare the National Communication on Climate Change periodically. Accordingly,

the Initial National Communication on Climate Change has been prepared and

submitted to the UNFCCC in 2000.

In keeping with this convention’s obligations a project has been executed by the

Ministry of Environment to prepare the Second National Communication (SNC) .

Financial assistance for the project is provided by the Global Environmental Facility

(GEF) and United Nations Development Programme. This project inter alia is

expected to enhance the national capacities and raise general awareness on climate

change and its effects and prioritize climate change issues on the national agenda

through strengthened cooperation and increased involvement of all relevant

stakeholders.

SNC Project aims to strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of Sri Lanka in

mainstreaming climate change concerns into the country’s sectoral and national

development planning process. It is primarily for the purpose of preparing and

submitting its Second National Communication to the UNFCCC thereby meets its

obligations to said convention.

During the reporting period, the Ministry has completed the preparation of second

national communication and it is ready to submit to the UNFCCC secretariat by

November 30th of this year.

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Natural Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation

Introduction

Biodiversity conservation related activities of the Ministry are implemented through

the Biodiversity Secretariat. National Experts Committee on Biological

Diversity(NECBD)provides guidance for the implementation of the National

Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan and also assist in revising them periodically in

the light of experience gained through the implementation.

Strengthen policy, legal and institutional framework for biodiversity

conservation, including information sharing and networking aspects.

Launched the Uva Provincial Biodiversity Conservation Profile and Action plan

at Deyata Kirula Exhibition in Buttala. This profile and action plan targeted

over all conservation activities and biodiversity related issues were identified

within this province. This document launched by Hon. Minister of

Environment to the Chief Minister of Uva Province.

Action Plan on Palaeo Biodiversity was drafted. On going editing activities

have being done by the experts on Palaeo biodiversity. The first National

Action plan which relate to the conservation of palaeo ecosystems and

species was prepared

Taxonomical clue arose in regard to the National Flower i.e. Nil Manel flower.

This the legislative matter the taxonomist identified and corrected the actual

National Flower in scientifically. Prepared draft cabinet paper to get the

correct flower instead of the prevailing ‘Nil Manel Flower”.

Establish optimum Protected Area (PA) network and ensure recover of

important threaten species

Recovery Plan on ‘Puntiu Bandula” (Bandula Pethiya) implemented as an

insitu conservation of their niches. After some time looked after their habitat

enrichment and related monitoring activities for same. Conducted the

workshop to the general public who they were engaged with the activities

which were caused to their habitat. Printed calendar on 2011 and broacher

for awareness creation on Bandula Pethiya.

Funded and took part the field workshop conducted on Elephants and tuskers

in Udawalawe National Park under protected area network by Open

University of Sri Lanka. Carried out the population count, population

structure and identification various herds of naturally occurred habitats.

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Assisted a workshop on Human – Elephant Conflict to the researchers and

under graduates for issues arising of their conservation activities. Also

discussed about their biology, behavior and their captive breeding.

Facilitated to the research study on Shell midden to conserve fossils of fauna

and flora in prehistoric ears.

Conserve and sustainable use flora and fauna outside the protected

area network

Established 68 Atawisi Bodhi Vruksha tree planting under the ex-situ

conservation of important trees in national level and religious premises.

Under restoration program there were tree planting programmes conducted

at Navy Camp at Puttlam and 500 number of mangrove species planted at

Puttlam lagoon in collaboration with School Parisara Niyamaka societies.

Established Butterfly garden at Gampaha Base Hospital premises. Butterflies

refers as flag species and some of them are critically endangered, threaten

and vulnerable categories. This was an insitu conservation of butterflies and

also restored plants species which were attract by butterflies. Therefore

under this event to conserve fauna and flora within this park.

2nd stage of Butterfly garden at Colombo Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Planted

butterflies attractive floral species and its maintenance activities are being

undertaken.

Wise use of genetic resources for agriculture in sustainable manner

GEF/UNEP funded Project Preparatory Stage of ‘Mainstreaming Biodiversity

Conservation and Sustainable use for Improved Human Nutrition and Well-

being” documented completed submitted to the related foreign agency for

future project activities.

Carried out a survey on food items in the markets which were consuming by

general public. Tested at Genetec Institute for if their genetically modified or

not. As a result did not get any information from these food items were

genetically modified.

Limit access to genetic resources

Activities carried out prior to sign the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit sharing. Hold a meeting on related authorities and personnel and documented for the outcome of signing of the protocol. This outcome document discussed at the international meeting and edited. Before signing the protocol as a consultative process an advertisement published on it and call for the comments from general public.

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Preserve traditional knowledge and practices relevant to biodiversity

conservation

Identified and preserve traditionally important Stone artifacts and

documented.

Hold two days National Symposium at Ayurvedic Medical Institute theme on

”Indigenous Medical practices related to the food and nutrition”. There were

40 numbers of studies and surveys presented. Published a book those

research papers. Launched a Book on Uncultivated Food crops in Sri Lanka at

this symposium.

Participated the Helabodu Esala Exhibition at Anuradhapura and published

leaflet on same.

Surface exploration of prehistoric sites located within the protected area

network which were not identified by the Archeological Dept. and recorded

the information on prehistoric sites as well as the biodiversity within these

sites.

Integrate and promote research and development on bio diversity

conservation in all sectors

Preparing Red List 2011 on threatened fauna and flora in Sri Lanka. The

document to be implemented end of this year.

Carried out a research study on herpeto fauna at Sri Pada peak wilderness

sanctuary is the critically important biodiversity hotspots within the PA net

work. Studied the status and trends in herpeto fauna in wildlife areas.

Facilitate sustainable use of biodiversity through benefit sharing

mechanisms.

Developed a database on Marine shells and data updating due to the on-

going identification of marine shells activities.

Developed a database on faunal observation and the information input by

the island wide surveys.

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Prevention, Mitigation and Control of Pollution and

Environment Damage

Introduction

Prevention and minimization of pollution in all forms i.e. solid, liquid and gaseous

play a critical role in the management of environment and natural resources of the

country. Although steps were taken through different management practices still

this is a serious national problem and due recognition should be given to arrest the

situation.

Pavithra Ganga Programme

Pavithra Ganga Programme was commenced in 1998. The objective of this program

is to keep the water bodies clean in the country and one of the major components of

Pavithra Ganga Program is assisting relevant local authorities to keep the water

quality of the main water bodies of the country in acceptable conditions for human

use. In the face of increasing urbanization, the downstream areas of rivers are

getting seriously threatened. The river banks are being eroded and water quality is

deteriorating. A multi stakeholder approach has been taken in achieving this

objective and the owners of the project will be relevant local authorities.

Pavithra Ganga Program for the Western Province is implemented for Kelani river as

a pilot project. Kelani river being the major drinking water source for the Western

Province is getting high pollution loads making water unsustainable for human

consumption. 26 water quality information display boards have been established

along the river to disseminate information of the water quality among the general

public. It is expected that this approach will enable public participation in keeping

Kelani river away from being polluted.

The following activities were carried out during the reporting period.

Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Central Environmental

Authority and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board monitor the

water quality of the river biweekly and water quality information display

boards are being updated through the relevant local authorities.

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13 Local Authorities has been facilitated to conduct Monitoring Committees

for decision making at Local Authority (LA) level to address the identified

environmental problems.

National Steering Committee meetings for Kelani River Pavithra Ganga

Programme were conducted quarterly and decisions were taken to address

issues that cannot be resolved by Local Authority level.

A field inspection was conducted on the project proposal submitted by

Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha to establish an Eco-park in "Rajjuruwange

Thotupola" under the small scale project to minimize environmental impacts

along the Kelani River

Analysis of pesticides contaminations in the selected water bodies in Sri

Lanka is being done in collaboration with National Water Supply and

Drainage Board. Currently, the final report is being prepared.

A field inspection was done by the Sustainable Development Division with

Land Use Policy Planning Department to introduce the bio engineering

technology to prevent the highly eroded Kelani River Bank in Dompe

Pradeshiya Sabha.

Vehicular Emission Testing (VET) Programme

Vehicular emissions are the major source of rising air pollution in Colombo and other

urban areas. The Government of Sri Lanka gazetted Emission Control Regulations on

30th June 2003 under the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980. It was

amended by the Gazette No: 1557/14 dated 09.07.2008. These regulations set

standards for maximum permissible levels of emission for different vehicle

categories. Vehicle Emission Testing program is designed as a public-private

partnership and is a centralized system with two large private sector companies

(CleanCo Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd and Laughf Eco Sri (Pvt.) Ltd.) contracted to issue the

Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) certificates. It was mandated to have VET certificate

to obtain annual revenue license in all the provinces other than the North and East.

However, brand new vehicles were exempt from this regulation for a period of one

year from the date of registration.

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Major Achievements (January - June 2011)

20 Site Inspections were conducted on VET centres (Digana, Kegalle, Kundasale,

Gampola, Kandy, Welisara, Wattala, Negombo, Kochchikade, Seeduwa,

Wennappuwa, Pannala, Badulla, Nuwaraeliya, Bandarawela, Hawaeliya,

Monaragala and Sewanagala)

Pilot study was done on Indoor Air Pollution with University of Moratuwa and

Hongkong Polytechnical University

Participation for BAQ (Better Air Quality) 2010 in Singapore

15 VET centres inspected in UVA province, Kiribathgoda, Orogodawatta,

Kadawatha, Moratuwa, Koswatta, Kotikawatta, Gampaha, Miriswatta,

Warakapola, Walisara, Anuradhapura, Daladagama and Wariyapola

3 Road Side Testing Programmes conducted in Thalahena, Nittambuwa and

Kandy with University of Moratuwa and support With SL VET fund

VET Spotter programme held at Pittugala, Dematagoda and Kelaniya

Awareness Programmes on Air Pollution held at Monaragala District parallel to

the Deyata Kiruala January- February 2011

7 Stakeholders Coordination Meetings held at Department of Motor Traffic

(DMT) and AirMAC

Initial Activities of the health effects of Air pollution Exposure on Children

Campaign was completed in 10 schools in Colombo district

Participated for Male declaration meeting held in India, June 2011

Reviewing present emission standards with the VET data to establish new vehicle

emission standards. New standards to be gazetted within 2011

Preparation of National Action Plan for Electronic and Electrical Waste

Management

The Ministry of Environment being the focal point to the Basal

Convention and Stockholm Convention is planning to develop a policy

framework and implement a comprehensive National Action plan for e-

waste management in the country. In Sri Lanka with the rapid economic

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growth, there is a possibility to increasing growth in consumption of

electric and electronic equipment in future and there by potential

increases of related e-waste in the country. To create sustainable

capacity for the country to fulfil the objectives of the Basel Convention,

in e-waste management and to develop a national action plan for e -waste

management is the main objective of this activity. The project pr oposal

has been submitted to Basel Secretariat for obtain the funding.

Major Achievements

Joint workshop of the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions for effective

participation of Parties in the work of the Persistent Organic Pollution (POPs)

Review Committees and Chemicals was held and more than 40 foreign

delegates including 17 countries were participated to the meeting. Technical

issues, decision making process and the synergies between two conventions

were discussed at the workshop on 19th January 2011.

Project proposal on National Action Plan for Electronic and Electrical Waste

Management submitted and fund is yet to be received.

Funds received from the SAICM Secretariat to start the project on Capacity

Strengthening and Information Exchange on PCBs Management in Selected

Asia Countries in June 2011. Selection of National Coordinator and National

Consultant are in progress.

Safe Disposal of Mobile Communication and Associated Waste

The rapid advancement of mobile communications and associated waste

have created a rapid pace of electrical and electronic equipment

becoming obsolete and disposal of these items is becoming more

problematic. The major objective of the Environmental Conservation Levy

was to establish a stakeholder mechanism for disposal of such items.

Environmental Conservation Levy (ECL) is charged from all the mobile

phone users, to address and solve environmental problems cause due to

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the equipments in the industry to the environment. The mai n objective of

this project is to create sustainable capacity for the country to fulfil the

inputs of the ECL and for safe disposal of mobile and associated waste.

Develop an environmental sound disposal system of mobile and

associated waste in Sri Lanka, information dissemination and awareness

creation and capacity development of relevant Sri Lankan stakeholders

are among the major activities of the project.

Major Achievements

Project stated in 2011 and it is jointly implemented by Central Environment

Authority (CEA) and the Ministry. The initial activity of the project has already

completed. The project action plan developed with following activities.

- Listing out targeted e waste categories

- Identify the mode of collection and develop the collection system

- Develop infrastructure for the collection system

- Target based public awareness and outreach campaigns

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Environment Education, Training and Awareness

Introduction

The National Environment Policy stresses the need of long-term, comprehensive

environmental education, training and awareness program for better environmental

management. Environmentally responsible society is the key for sustainable

environmental management. Therefore, environmental education, awareness

should be planned and targeted at all ages, levels of the society in order to change

their attitude to adhere to simple life styles. This had to be done across one

generation throughout in order to observe a change of their attitudes and behavior

that does degrade the environment but nurturing it.

Therefore, the Promotion Division of the Ministry of Environment together with

other divisions and institutes had carried out various programs to enhance

knowledge and capacity of the society on environment conservation. The Promotion

Division has prepared number of print and electronic documentations for

environment education, awareness and training. It has printed and distributed

number of magazines, newsletters and leaflets etc.., free of charge in various

functions.

Two issues of SOBA biannual environmental magazine was printed and

distributed. 5000 copies of the magazine were distributed among the

National Libraries. The target group is general public, school children,

university students, and environmental activists of Community Based

Organization (CBO) and Non Governmental Organization (NGO) network.

Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change Adaptation and Waste

Management are some of the topics covered in SOBA articles. SOBA is the

common platform to facilitate the discourse vital for making development

more sustainable.

Commemorated the World Environment day on 5th June 2011 under the

theme of “Forests: Nature at Your Service". Major national function was

celebrated in Rambukkana Pinnawala National School and a simultaneous

tree planting campaign was held in Namalgamuwa forest reserve. To achieve

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the target, there were held an exhibition, Eco march (Parisara Pagamana)

with the participation of 1000 school children, tree planting campaign and

green jobs awards presented to committed individuals and organizations for

sustainable development etc. Five school environmental education and

awareness programmes were conducted during this time to promote

environmentally friendly lifestyles among school children. Ozone layer

protection, Biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization and climate

change and adaptation to climate change were the topics covered in the

lectures.

Environmental Diary

Delivering knowledge, skills and values and teaching early, how to be friendly

and live in harmony with the environment to school children enabling

attitudes and behavioral changes of them, are vital today. Accordingly, as a

tool, an Environmental Diary for school children in year 3 was developed by

the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the National Institute of

Education in parallel to the environmental section of the school curriculum of

year 3 with a view to change environmental attitudes of students. The

objective of preparing a dairy is encouraging the students to take part in

practical exercises relating to the environment subject in and around the

school. The dairy was printed in Tamil and Sinhala languages and distributed

3455 diaries among the selected schools in Colombo and Jaffna Districts in

March 2010. All the diaries distributed among the schools were collected

back in this year and started to evaluate them on 14.02.2011 by an evaluating

committee. Currently the evaluation process is ongoing.

Green Job Awards Programme

There is an overwhelming need to safeguard our environment. In order to

maintain a healthy environment it is necessary to create environmental

friendly (green) jobs. As one step in promoting green jobs, the Ministry of

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Environment organized a Green Job Awards Programme to recognize and

honor the persons and organizations who are engaged in green jobs. The

objective of this programme is to promote the Green jobs in the country with

a view of safeguarding the environment, raising awareness and encouraging

environmental friendly technologies and behaviors in economic and social

development activities transforming the country towards a green economy.

Under this programme 12 Green Job Awards were presented for 03

individuals and 09 institutions in Agriculture and Livestock sector, Industrial

and Enterprise Development Sector, Waste Management and Pollution

Control Sector, Water Resources Management Sector, Soil Conservation and

Land Improvement Sector, Urban Development and Spatial Planning Sector,

Environmental Education and Campaigns Sector, on the World Environment

Day 2011 (5th June) ceremony at Pinnawala National School.

An awareness material to promote eco-habits

The Mission 10: Knowledge for Right Choice of the Haritha Lanka

Programme, is to promote sustainable consumption and production practices

among the general public, education and awareness models should be

developed. Accordingly, the Ministry developed an awareness material to

promote eco-habits in the purpose of changing attitudes of general public

towards sustainable consumption practices. This awareness material on Eco

habits is prepared in such a way to have a dual purpose with a view to raise

awareness and keep it by the reader for future reference without throwing

away.

Awareness creation workshop on Environment related Laws and Regulations

for Police officers.

The involvement of Police Officers in enforcing Environmental Laws is very

important. Hence, the Ministry has extended its awareness creation activities

to various categories of Police Officers Island wide. These officers are able to

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expand their knowledge in respect of the National Environmental Act, Forest

Ordinance, Mines and Mineral Act, Marine Pollution Prevention Act, National

Gem and Jewellery Authority Act and related issues. One awareness creation

workshop at Jaffna has been conducted and 55 Police Officers participated

for the workshop.

Awareness creation campaign and activities related to implementation of

Montreal Protocol in Sri Lanka

In order to mark the completion of 25 years of Vienne Convention, there

were three school competitions were conducted under the theme of

“Importance of Ozone Layer Protection”. Accordingly the Ozone Quiz

completion and Oratory completion were held covering all the schools in

Kurunegala district and first round of the said competitions were held on 15th

June 2010 at three centers in Wayamba Technical College, Sri Sumangala

National School, Wariyapola and Auditorium of the Kuliyapitiya Educational

Zone. The second round of the competition was conducted on 16th June 2010

at Wayamba Technical College and semi-final round was conducted at

Kumara Vidyalaya in Kurunegala district. The Island-wide Art competition was

conducted among school children and calling application according to the

paper advertisement published in newspapers in three languages. The

winning entry of the art was selected for the Stamp which was cancelled to

mark the 25th anniversary of Vienne Convention at the International Ozone

Day celebration which was organized by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of

the Ministry of Environment and all winners of the above three competitions

were awarded at the same event.

The International Ozone Day was celebrated in national level on 16th

September 2010 at Kurunegala District under the patronage of Hon. Anura

Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Environment. Parallel to the International

Ozone Day celebration Documentary on Ozone Layer and its protection and

final round of the Ozone Quiz Programme were telecast on 16th and 17th of

September 2010. Eka ahasak yata” Radio programme was broadcast every

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Sunday and “Wishmitha Soba” programme broadcast every 3rd week of every

month on Thursday.

Awareness programme for School Teachers of Embilipitiya Educational Zone

has been held on 26th January 2011 and 185 teachers participated. Main

theme of the programme was inter-relationship of the Global Warming and

Ozone Layer Depletion and main intension was to provide knowledge about

Ozone science and the importance of the Ozone layer protection for teaching

purposes for keeping school students aware. The same programme was

conducted for school children in Embilipitiya Educational Zone on 27th

January 2011 under the same theme getting involved the teachers too on

27th January – 2011

NOU officials participated to the Ceremonial Launching of the Ozone friendly

Tea logo which is developed by the NOU of Ministry of Environment in

collaboration of the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Tea Exporters of Sri Lanka on

04th May 2011. This logo is allowed to print the logo in all Ceylon tea packets

to ensure that Methyl Bromide which is a one of the Ozone Deleted

substances (ODSs) was not used for the tea plantation.

An awareness Programme was held on Ozone Layer Protection, its

importance and the Montreal Protocol obligations to the Hotel Sector at the

Lake Cinnamon Hotel 23rd May 2011

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International Cooperation

Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs)

Sri Lanka has actively participated in global environment partnership process and has

ratified more than 40 MEAs. The Government of Sri Lanka accords top priority for

implementation of international legal instruments in the country. National focal

points have been designated for each international treaty ratified, which are

responsible for decision making on respective treaty.

The implementation of these conventions is not satisfactory and as a solution for

these problems, the Ministry of Environment has established MEA Secretariat

(MEAS) in the Ministry, which is the focal point for major environment and

sustainable development related international conventions and treaties for the co-

ordination and implementation of MEAs in the country. The MEA Secretariat is a

partnership organization, which involves all focal points of MEAs and stakeholders

such as government agencies, professionals, academics, NGOs, CBOs and the public.

Major Achievements

Four Basel National Coordinating Committee (NCC) Meetings were held

Participated for Rotterdam Technical Advisory Committee meeting and Basel

Technical Committee meetings

Submitted the National Status Report of the Stockholm Convention to the

Stockholm Secretariat

Participated at the Asia Pacific Network (APN) Scientific Planning Group(SPG)/

Steering Committee, represented Sri Lanka on APN Sub Regional meeting,

and

12th South Asian Corporative Environment Programme (SACEP) governing

council meeting held with the participation of Environment Ministers of all

the membership of SACEP. The meeting was inaugurated by Hon D M

Jayaratne, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Hon Anura Priyadrashna Yapa,

Minister of Environment was elected as the Chairman of the SACEP

Governing Council during its meeting. Decisions related to the two year

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Action Plan of SACEP, Policies on Sustainable Transport, Clean Fuel, and

Protection of Biodiversity in the region were taken during the meeting.

Jointly organized the 16th Inter-Governmental Meeting (IGM)/ Scientific

Planning Group (SPG) Meeting and associated Committee Meetings on Asia-

Pacific Network for Global Change Research with APN Secretariat. More than

50 foreign delegates from 20 countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan,

Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand,

Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Thailand, United

States of America (USA) and Viet Nam were participated the meeting. The

meeting was inaugurated by Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of

Environment with the participation of Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister

of Disaster Management and Hon. Abdul Kadar, Deputy Minister of

Environment.

Two workshops were held on Deposit Refund(DR) System for pesticide

containers and Agro Chemical Containers

National Coordination Activities of the GEF Focal Points

The GEF helps forge partnerships among nations to manage transboundary

environmental problems that are of regional or global significance. While recognizing

that all levels of the environment are interrelated, the GEF focuses specifically on

several focal areas that are global in application for its worldwide efforts. These are

biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, persistent

organic pollutants (POPs) and multi focal area. The GEF is currently the designated

financial mechanism for several conventions that have been ratified by Sri Lanka. The

Ministry of Environment is the National Focal Point for GEF in Sri Lanka and Air

Resources Management and International Relations Division functions as the field

office.

GEF National Stakeholder Workshop was held on 9th and 10th August 2010 at

Tamarind Tree Hotel, Minuwangoda. Priority project concepts for GEF cycle 5 (STAR)

Climate Change (CC), Land Degradation (LD) and Biodiversity (BD) were identified.

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The Ministry represented the Expanded Constituency Workshop for South and East

Asia Constituencies, which was held in Da-Lat, Vietnam from 4th -7th April 2011. 5th

GEF South Asia Constituency Meeting was held on 16th- 17th May 2011 at Waters

Edge, Colombo. Delegates from Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, GEF

Secretariat and UNDP-Bangkok participated for the meeting. The meeting

inaugurated by Hon. Abdul Kadar, Deputy Minister of Environment on 16th May

2011.

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“Deyata Kirula” National Development Exhibition

“Deyata Kirula” National Development Exhibition was held at Buttala Old Gam Udawa site. It was declared opened on the 4th February parallel to National Independence Day and ended on the 10th instant in which the Ministry of Environment also took part the theme of “Conservation of Environment and Biodiversity for Future Generations” since the year 2011 has been declared as the “Forestry Year” by the United Nations Organization.

All the institutions of the Ministry actively participated in the exhibition and it has been an effective vehicle for the Ministry in order to convey several important environmental messages to the public. Almost all the institutions of the Ministry conducted a considerable number of education and awareness programs for the school children in the Monaragala district. The National Gem and Jewelry Authority, the National Gem Research and Training Institute, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Central Environment Authority played a key role in the exhibition. The Marine Environment Protection Authority also conducted a number of awareness programs for school children and taken the opportunity to educate the students on the importance of protection of watersheds, riverbanks and rivers in order to prevent land based pollution of the sea. All institutions conducted a tree planting program as well.

The Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry conducted a special program to showcase the importance of Agro-biodiversity in the field of Biodiversity Conservation and explained about the importance of keeping higher species mix in the home gardens. It displayed about 32 mango types, 20 Banana varieties and 17 traditional rice varieties in an exhibition stall to explain the country’s genetic diversity where Mango has been demonstrated as a “Charismatic Species” in promoting it since it has a wider intra-specific diversity and a large number of Mango ecotypes and varieties were displayed and allowed to taste. The objective of this program was to sensitize people on Mango diversity and promote conservation and sustainable use.

Several other exhibition stalls depicted the importance of phasing out the Ozone depleting substances, Vehicular emission testing programs, eco-village program, control and containment of alien invasive species and land degradation etc. The quiz program conducted by the Biodiversity Secretariat has been an innovative activity and attractive techniques to draw the attention of visitors especially the school children.

Buttala area is one of a rich locality for gems and many other raw minerals. It is a main one of livelihoods practiced by the people in the area. Hence, a training centre under the “Deyata Kirula” development programme was established by Gem and Jewelley Training Institute to provide training in gem cutting and jewellery making to stimulate gem and jewellery goods manufacturing in this area. An efficient mechanical gem mining technologies were also exhibited by Gem and Jewellery Training Institute. Collection of variety of precious stones, gems and Jewelries were displayed in the National Gems and Jewellery Authority stall. The State Timber Corporation launched a furniture sales promotion campaign. Central Environmental Authority constructed a model landfill site at the exhibition site and conducted a program to disseminate knowledge on waste recycling, environmentally friendly building construction etc.

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“Deyata Sevana” National Tree Planting Programme

“Deyata Sevana” National Tree Planting Program by planting 11,00,000 trees island

wide was launched in the year 2010 with a view to extend the nation’s salutation

and gratitude to His Excellency the President for bringing freedom for whole nation

after a 30 year war. This national program aligned with the Mahinda Chinthana –

Vision for the Future in realization the commitment towards a “Greener Country”.

This has been a sustainable environment initiative with multifaceted benefits –

conservation of micro catchments, ensuring the nations water security and

enhancing important life support systems and positively contribute to the ‘Divi

Neguma” program as well. This mega tree planting program will also play an

appreciable role towards conservation of biodiversity and addressing global

environment issues such as climate change and land degradation.

Last year’s program was organized by the Ministry of Environment with an objective

of planting of 1.1 million trees island wide on the 15th of November within 11

minutes. This program was well supported with fullest co-operation through the

Presidential Secretariat, all National Government Ministries, Departments,

Corporations, Statutory Boards, Provincial Councils, District and Divisional

administration, Local Authorities, NGOs and Private Sector. The main tree planting

program has been conducted at Temple Trees under the patronage of His Excellency

the President.

Although it was planned to establish 1.1 million trees, it was reported that a total of

about 2.9 million trees have been planted in the campaign and currently it has been

reported that a total of about 2.1 million trees surviving in the field up to now.

Recognizing the importance and the success of the National Tree Planting Program,

the Ministry of Environment has taken steps to continue this program annually from

2011 in collaboration with all the government, non-government and private sector

organizations. Necessary arrangements have already been made to carry out this

program for this year as well.

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Action Plan 2012

Activity Budget Estimates (Rs. Mn)

2012 Strengthening of the National Coordination Activities of the GEF Focal

Point

2.0

Preparation of National Action Plan for Electronic and Electrical

Waste Management

8.0

Implementation of Vehicular Emission Testing (VET) Programme and

Indoor Air Quality Management in Sri Lanka

5.0

Management and Maintenance of Multilateral Environment

Agreements (MEAs) Secretariat and Preparation of Materials on

MEAs. (Sub project No. 32)

1.1

Safe disposal of mobile communication and associated

waste

15.0

Capacity building on taxonomy training on important functional

Groups of animals

0.8

Updating 2012 Red list data 1.0

Enhancement of data collection and maintain faunal biodiversity 0.1

Establishment mechanism to evaluate the impacts on current

Incentive measures related to the biodiversity conservation

0.2

Introduction economic instruments to promote organic Agriculture

0.2

Update the status of national coral reefs 0.2

Identify the impacts on climate change to the coral reefs 0.2

Commemoration of World Biological Diversity Day 0.5

Coordination of implementing the National Action Plan for Haritha

Lanka Program and Implementation of mission 10 "Knowledge for

right choices"

0.02

World Environment Day Programme 5.0

"Deyata Sewana" Tree Planting Programme 7.0

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110

Chapter 12

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE AGENCIES

Forest Department

Introduction

Forest Department (FD) was established in 1887 under the provisions of the Forest

Ordinance (FO) with a view to effectively and efficiently manage the forest resources

both natural and plantations for the benefit of the present and future generations.

Functions of the FD has been organized under six technical Divisions ie. Forest

Inventory and Management, Forestry Research and Education, Social Forestry and

Extension, Planning and Monitoring, Protection and Law Enforcement and

Environment Management. FD has been vested with the following responsibilities.

Major Responsibilities

Conserve and maintain adequate forest cover for amelioration of climatic

conditions, conservation of flora and fauna, conservation of soil and water

resources, and for aesthetic, historical, recreational social and economic

purposes.

Build up plantation forest estate progressively to meet the future timber

requirements of the country both for internal consumption and for export and

also to contribute towards conservation of soil and water.

Ensure optimum use of forest land through integrated and multiple land use

approaches, taking into account the diversity of potential uses.

Ensure the scientific management and sustainable development of forest

resources so as to supplement the wood requirements of the country.

Ensure that environmental safeguards are included in all forest development and

utilization activities, so as to protect biological diversity.

Establish close links among institutions concerned in promoting conservation and

forestry development, so as to enhance the effectiveness of their individual

efforts.

111

Promote community participation in development, management and

conservation of forest resources through community-based forestry

programmes.

Conduct forestry education and extension programs in order to promote

awareness of forest conservation and development.

Major Challenges

Maintain national forest cover at present level.

Enforcement of law against violators of Forest Law framed under the Forest Act

Conservation of biodiversity

Prevent encroachments of forest lands from various land use practices

Ensure participation of communities in the buffer zone management at a

satisfactory level.

Progress : July 2010 - June 2011

Reforestation

Reforestation activities were carried out in 872.73 ha of

harvested plantations with economically valuable timber

species to meet the timber requirement of the country.

Silvicultural

Operation in

Forest Plantations

Silvicultural Operations were carried out in 2,407.74 ha in

selected forest plantations during the reporting period.

Establish New

Farmers’

Woodlots

205 ha of Farmer’s Woodlots were established during the

period under review in this programme.

Maintenance of

Old Farmers’

Wood lots

Cleaning operation in35 ha of wood lots was carried out and

patch weeding was carried out in 278.1 ha.

Management of

old Farmers’

Woodlots

761 ha of woodlots that were established under the

Community Forestry Project and Participatory Forestry Project

were scientifically managed during the reporting period.

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Home garden

development and

Tree Management

4,684 nos.of Home gardens were developed by providing

seedlings and providing technical assistance for tree

management programmes in 1,005 ha of home gardens.

Environmental

Management

Sinharaja, Knuckles, Udawattakele, Oliyagankele, Kurulukele

and Kanneliya forest reserves were maintained. Maintenance

work includes the opening and maintenance of nature trails,

fencing, under planting and erection of name boards.

Deenston, Illukkumbura, Kanneliya and Pitadeniya conservation

centers were also maintained.

Awareness programmes on forest conservation and

environmental management were conducted for students,

community organizations and villagers who are living in

surrounding areas of Sinharaja, Knuckles, Kanneliya,Man and

Biosphere reserves and other forests.

Plantation

Management

Management activities in 2,548.74 ha of young plantations that

were established in previous three years were carried out

during the reporting period to facilitate the growth of plants.

Maintenance of

Enrichment,

Buffer Zone and

Rehabilitated

plantations

133.70 ha of enrichment areas, 111.5 ha buffer zone

plantations and 57 ha of rehabilitated plantation were

maintained.

Maintenance of

Nurseries and

Production of

seedlings

973,102 nos of seedlings were produced in nurseries of the

Department. Continuous supply of healthy and well

maintained stock of seedlings for replanting programmes has

been ensured by these activities.

“WanaSenasuna

“Forest Hermitage

Programme

The purpose of this programme is to involve Buddhist Clergy

and devotees for protecting the forest with cultural values. The

presence of Buddhist priest who come to “aranyas” for

religious activities will help to prevent illegal activities in the

area. The programme also disseminates the message of the

value of forest conservation to the people through pilgrimages.

During the reporting period forest with biodiversity and

cultural values have been identified and such places are

allocated to establish hermitages. 10 nos permits issued in

reporting period .

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Conservation of

Hilltops in Central

Highlands

Impacts of deforestation and forest degradation on hill tops

Inadequate cover of the hill tops in the country poses a threat

to the economy because Sri Lanka has an agricultural economy

while considerable portion of electricity comes through

hydroelectricity. Although, Sri Lanka is fortunate to have rain

from monsoons, dry weather flow is affected due to

inadequate tree cover in hilly areas.

In the light of this situation and dwindling forest resources on

hills, it becomes imperative to ensure forest cover on almost all

hill tops in the country. The most serious consequences of

deforestation and forest degradation in hilly areas are:

Decreased / reduced dry weather flow

irregular water flow, and drying up of natural

springs and reduction in base flow of

streams

shortened lifespan of irrigation channels and

reservoirs;

soil erosion and associated loss of soil

fertility, which is reducing agricultural

productivity;

reduction in biodiversity due to destruction

of the habitats of wildlife and plants;

contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Therefore, the overall impact of forest degradation and

deforestation can simply be summarized as the reduced well-

being of the present and future generations.

Some of the hill tops with denuded forests belong to the Forest

Department although some belong to other agencies such as

estates, State Plantation Corporation, Janatha Estate

Development Board and Land Reform Commission.

Approximately, only about 25 percent of hill tops in the hill

country are under the purview of the Forest Department.

Aggravating this situation farther, plantation companies who

manage some estates in the highlands cut down trees along

stream reservations and also clear fell shade trees in order to

meet their energy requirement.

Strategies to be Used

There are three types of lands that were available in these

hilltops. They are as follows.

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Education,

Extension and

Awareness

487 Awareness programmes, 298 Competition/ Others, 100

nos. video shows, 39nos. exhibitions, 384 nos. seminars and

workshops were organized to raise awareness among general

public on forest conservation

Expenditure & Financial Plan

July 2010 to end of June 2011 2012

Amount Expected

( Rs.000) Target (Rs.000) Progress (Rs.000)

Capital 288,717 275,598 644,950

Recurrent 786,749 750,662 1,001,948

i. Hilltops with bed rock

ii. Hilltops denuded of vegetation due to repeated

fire

iii. Hilltops denuded of vegetation due to other

reasons

Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), Enrichment Planting and

Reforestation are the methods that could be used to restore

the vegetation cover on above lands. Depending on the existing

land use type one or combination of the above methods could

be used for restoration. Fire control is one of the most

important activities in all types of above lands.

During the reporting period following activities were

undertaken

Conservation of Hilltops in the Capital Highlands

1.Establishment and Other operations 112.5 (ha)

2.Maintenance - 12.5 (ha)

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Action Plan 2012 – Summary

Major

Issue

Main

Activity

Sub Activity Target Physical Financial

(Rs ‘000)

Forest Cover Depletion

Forest Management

Silvicultural Treatments 7,323 ha 35,000

Reforestation in RCT Areas 900 ha 70,000

Maintenance of Young Plantations

5,378.79 ha 105,000

Enumeration and stumpage calculations

900 ha 3,600

Maintenance of Old Farmers’ Wood Lots

405 ha 4,500

Management of Old Farmers’ Wood Lots

750 ha 2,000

Seedlings and Nurseries 910,000 nos 28,000

Experiments, Research and new research trials

35 nos. 8,000

Establishment of Farmers’ Wood Lots

300 ha 12,000

Environmental Management 04 nos 25,000

Education and Extension sum, 15,000

Maintenance of Forest Boundaries

200 km 15,000

Plantation road maintenance 20 km 3,000

Home Garden Development 3,000 nos. 4,500

Conservation of Hill Tops in the Central highlands in Sri Lanka

Establish-350 ha

Maintenance-359 ha

50,000

Revenue forecast for 2012: Rs 1200 Million

116

Central Environmental Authority

Introduction

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) was established in 1981 under the

National Environmental Act No 47 of 1980. The main objective in establishing the

CEA is for:

Protection, management and enhancement of the environment

Regulation, maintenance and control of the quality of the environment

Prevention, abatement and control of the pollution

Powers, Functions and Duties

To administer the provisions of the National Environmental Act and the

regulations made there under.

To undertake surveys and investigations as to the causes, nature, extent

of pollution and to assist and co-operate with other person or bodies

carrying out similar surveys or investigations.

To conduct, promote and co-ordinate research in relation to any aspects

of environmental degradation or the prevention there of, and to develop

criteria for the protection and improvement of the environment.

To specify standards, norms and criteria for the protection of beneficial

uses of the environment.

To publish reports and information with respect to any aspect of

environment protection and management.

To provide information and education to the public regarding the

protection and improvement of the environment.

The CEA has been entrusted with wider regulatory powers since its inception by

amending the National Environmental Act in 1988 and in the Year 2000.

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The principal powers entrusted with these amendments include inter alia the

following to require activities resulting in the discharge of pollutants to the

environment to do so under the authority of a license issued by the CEA, in

accordance with standards and criteria stipulated by the Authority.

To require certain prescribe development projects with may result in

significant adverse impacts on the environment to undertake

Environmental Impact Assessment prior to their implementation.

To gazette the activities which will discharge, deposit or emit waste in to

the environment as “Prescribed Activities” and to ensure that to no person

shall carry on any prescribed activity except under a license issued by the

authority and in accordance with standards and other criteria as may be

prescribed under this act

Challenges

Enforcement of regulations framed under the National Environmental Act.

Develop positive attitudes of stakeholder groups on Environmental

Management

Persuade all types of industries for environmental screening through EPL

system.

Effectively incorporate environmental concerns into the development

projects and programmes

To ensure that all development oriented agencies adopt an environmentally

friendly stance in promoting development.

To ensure that rapid industrial development in the country does not lead to

environmental degradation.

Establishment of a proper hazardous waste management system in the

country which tracks hazardous waste from cradle to grave.

To make polluting industries adopt cleaner technology in order to cut cost

and reduce pollution at the same time.

118

To get Local Authorities to be more responsible and adopt environmentally

friendly methods of solid waste disposal including sanitary landfill sites.

Ensure proper siting of industries with a view to minimizing impacts on the

environment.

To ensure that major policies and programme implemented by the

government have a minimal impact on the environment.

To peruse and conserve environmentally sensitive areas and unique eco

system in the country while achieving the development.

Progress: July 2010 - June 2011

Air Pollution Control Stationary sources emission standards have been developed and are

being finalized at present. It is expected that these standards will be

finalized and gazetted within the year 2011 thereby making them legal

standards required to be complied by industries.

Ambient air quality monitoring in the Kandy city was carried out and

it was found that the air quality in Kandy exceed to National Ambient

Air Quality Standards marginally.

Ambient air quality monitoring programme was carried out at

MahindaRajapaksha International Cricket Stadium at Sooriyawewa

from 16th to 20th for 12 days in June, 2011 to provide air quality data

in Hambanthota for the Commonwealth Games bid document.

Colombo Fort air quality monitoring station is in continuous

operation for the determination of particulate matter concentration in

ambient air quality in the Colombo city.

Establishment of

Source Emission

Regulations and

Amendment of

existing Noise level

regulations

Although the air quality in the country is still at acceptable levels, due

to the increase in industries and thermal power generation emitting

air pollutants, there is an urgent need for emission standards for

industrial sources. These standards have now been developed and will

be finalized within the next few months.

Development and

Implementation of

Malé Declaration

The second meeting of task force for future development of Malé

Declaration was held on 29 – 30th of November 2010 in Colombo, Sri

Lanka. The main areas of discussion during the meeting were:

Responses for sustainable and appropriate financial

119

mechanism of the Malé Declaration from participating

countries

Feasibility report on strengthening the framework on air

pollution reduction and control in South Asia by establishing

regional pollution control guidelines.

Feasibility report on establishment of regional centers for

different air management mechanisms based on the

expertise of each country. Under this activity, CEA laboratory

has been selected as the regional center for emission

inventory preparation

Work Plan for 2011.

Transboundary air pollution monitoring activities are being

carried out on a continuous basis under phase iv of the

programme

With a view to protecting and conserving areas with unique environmental features

which are scattered throughout the country, the CEA took action to declare such

areas as Environmental Protection Areas. Under the provisions in the National

Environmental Act, the CEA is responsible for physical planning and development

within any areas declared as an Environmental Protection Areas. The areas declared

up to date are;

Muthurajawela buffer zone Bolgoda Lake

Maragala Kanda, Moneragala Wathurana Swamp Forest

Bulathsinhala Hanthana

Knuckles Thalangama Tank

Lake Gregory, Nuwara Eliya

120

Table 12.1- Declared and to be Declared EPAs;

Name of the Site Status

Declared EPAs

01 Walauwaththa Wathurana

Gazette no.1598/21

Date-2009/04/24

Management plan has been drafted.

02 Bolgoda -Gazette no.-1634/23

Date-2009/12/30

Final draft of the guidelines is in place and

suitable locations have been identified to erect

the sign boards.

03 Muthurajawela –Gazette no-1466/26

-Date-2006/10/13

Thalangama -Gazette no: -1487/10

-Date.-2007/03/05

Management plan has been prepared and

implemented.

04 Gregory Lake -Gazette no:-1487/10

-Date -2007/03/05

Boundary demarcation completed

05 Hanthana -Gazette no:-1641/28

-Date-2010/02/17

Initial discussions were held with the University

of Peradeniya to carry out data survey and draft

Management Plan.

To be declared EPAs

01 Benthara Ganga Cabinet paper has been prepared.

02 Dedigamuwa Kanda Gazette has been drafted and need comments

were called.

03 Koggala Lagoon Data survey has been completed. Detailed

report has to be prepared for expert comments.

04 Gin Oya Identified as a new site in The North Western

Province. Site inspections have been carried

out.

121

Developing Data Base for Environmental Polluting Activities in Sri Lanka for the

Protection Environment

The CEA implements several regulations to control discharge of effluent, emission of

smoke/gases/fumes and deposition of waste from various industrial activities and to

ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources under the provisions of National

Environmental Act (NEA). Environment Protection License (EPL) scheme is the

regulatory tool that control discharge, deposition or emission of waste. At present

there are three main lists namely ‘A’, ‘B’ and `C’ of prescribed industries that require

EPL for their operation.

Although, the CEA has been issuing EPL for last 20 years, there was no a centrally

managed database of industries at the CEA. As such, non-availability of central

database of industries has affected in

making decisions pertaining to

environment management and planning.

Having identified the need of an industrial

survey to overcome this constrain, the

management of the CEA took a decision to

carry out a island wide survey in order to

gather information on industries and to

develop a database with the spatial

information. Industrial Survey was

commenced in January 2009.

During the period ,from July, 2010 to June,

2011 data collection was completed in the

Northern Province (Jaffna and Manar districts) and Gampaha district and data

collection is being continued in the Kurunegala district in 2011. The areas covered so

far under the project are given in the map.(Figure 12.2) The outcome of the survey

is very useful , it provides current situation of industries and their distribution at

divisional secretariat level ,which no doubt would help to make appropriate

management decisions .

Figure 12.2: Industrial Survey

Area

122

E – Waste Management

CEA has taken several initiatives to identify and provide strategic solutions to the

emerging e- waste problem, facilitating entire e-waste management practices

adhering to 3R ( Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principle. The aim of this is to minimize the

adverse impact caused by hap hazard disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic

Equipments (WEEE) in the country.

In this connection, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) along with fourteen

business organizations in home electronics, information technology,

telecommunication industries and waste management service providers have

launched a cooperate electronic waste management project to eradicate the

growing e-waste crisis in Sri Lanka. This programme has been launched under a

common Logo and a common theme “Ensuring an E waste Free Environment” on 4th

November 2010 at the “Mihilaka Mandala” Auditorium at BMICH with the

participation of the Minister of Environment Hon. AnuraPriyadarshanaYapa, Deputy

Minister of Environment Hon FaizarMustapa and CEO s of the 14 partner companies.

These 14 companies has created an island wide collection network to channel E

waste to a proper management practice using there island wide business network.

The CEA provided the information of these organizations to the National Information

Centre so that the general public can easily get the information of the E waste

management facilitators just dialing 1919

The Central Environmental Authority and the Metropolitan Group of Companies a

member of company of Cooperate E Waste Management Programme has jointly

held the first E waste drop off event on 7th April 2011 at Shalika Grounds,

Narahenpita. The aim of this drop off event was to encourage households and

business places to dispose E waste to one location. Approximately 3 tons of wastes

were collected at this event day itself.

The Second E- Waste drop off event was held on 7th June 2011 parallel to the World

Environmental day at the Henri Pedris Ground, Colombo 05. Around 4.5 tons of E –

Waste has been collected on this occasion.

123

CEA has created an island wide network to collect E waste with the support of

partner companies. Singer Sri Lanka, Dialog Axiata PLC, Metropolitan Group of

Companies has actively involved in collection through their island wide dealer

network. General public can obtain information by contacting 1919. About 900 tons

of E Waste have been collected and exported during the reporting period through

the licensed parties during July 2010 – June 2011.

Study on Waste Management – Research on “Environmental and Economic

Analysis of Plastic Recycling Industry in Sri Lanka”

With the understanding of the importance of the study on plastic recycling field, the

Waste Management Unit had decided to conduct a study on plastic waste recycling

industry in Sri Lanka in order to obtain information of the plastic recycling. This has

been undertaken by the University of Sri Jayawardanapura with the funding support

from the National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project under the 2010

action plan. The research team submitted the final report on 31st December, 2010

Table 12.2- Water Quality Monitoring

The Kelani

River

The CEA laboratory carries out regular monitoring of important

water bodies in the country in order to detect in every year.

Water quality of the twelve selected locations of the Kelani River

and its tributaries were measured during this period for sixteen

water quality parameters.

Water quality in upper part of the Kelani River at Thalduwa and

one of the tributaries exceptof microbiological contaminant.

Signs of organic pollution and industrial pollution were evident in

river water at Pugoda ,Raggawatta Ela, Japanese Friendship Bridge

and Seethawake which indicate a combined effects of

anthropogenic and natural sources of pollution.

Microbiological pollutants in almost all locations is not satisfactory

due to the disposal of untreated or partially treated sewage or

natural sources such as birds and even domestic cattle could

contribute too.

124

Upper reach

of Bentota

river

Water quality of the upper reach of the Bentota estuary,

Thalangama tank and Bolgoda lake were measured during the

period of July 2010 – June 2011

Monitoring area was mainly in upper reach of the Bentota

estuaries. Eight locations were selected for the monitoring

activities. Upper reach of the Bentota estuary is a brackish

water body (with high Cl- levels) since this water body is often

subject to sea water intrusion during high tide periods with

peak intrusions occurring during the driest spells in the period

of August, 2010. Monitoring area could be described as a

moderately highly polluted water body and faecal pollution is

intense within the monitoring area.

The Bolgoda

Lake

Water quality of the eight selected site were measured for the

period of six month. Bolgoda Lake is a brackish water body.

Taking into account of the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels as an

indicator of pollution, pollution seems to vary seasonally at

almost all monitoring locations Bolgoda Lake is polluted with

significant traces of Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr). However,

nutrient pollution is insignificant with reference to the levels of

NO-3 and TP. Faecal coliform levels were intense, though

seasonal.

The

Thalangama

Tank

Water quality of the six selected site were measured for the

period of six month. Organic pollution is insignificant.

Thalangama Tank is a moderately to slightly polluted water

body in general. There is a seasonal variation in the Dissolved

Oxygen (DO) levels within the studied locations. Thalangama

Tank has significant levels of Lead and Chromium with

reference to the CEA proposed limit of 0.002 mg/L for Category

4 Class II Waters. However, Lead and Chromium levels are

below the SLS 614 Part 1 1983 drinking water quality limit of

0.05 mg/L (maximum permissible level). Nutrient pollution is

insignificant with reference to the presence of NO-3 and TP.

Total and coliform levels are higher than the CEA proposed

limits of Category 3 Class II Waters indicating that the Tank is

not suitable for bathing or other skin-contact recreational

activities. The CEA laboratory carries out regular monitoring

of important water bodies in the country in order to detect

pollution trends.

125

Determination

of Water

Quality in

Streams Using

Indicator

Species

A project on monitoring of water quality improvement in Kandy

and Nuwara Eliya was implemented under funds from Kitakuyshu

International Techno Association (KITA) of Japan. The objective of

this project was to introduce an environmental friendly, cost

effective method to evaluate the level of water pollution by using

biological indicators for the public and school children.

Under this programme, a manual for environmental education

using Bio-Indicators in rivers in Sri Lanka has been prepared.

Revision of

Effluents

Discharge

Standards and

Tolerance

Limits

Steps have been taken to revise the present wastewater discharge

standards and their tolerance limits according to the country’s

development needs. A panel of public sector industrial

administrative officers and university experts had been appointed

to review, monitor and draft new wastewater discharge standards

and their tolerance limits according to the countries development

needs. Present systems of standards are needed to be updated for

effective control of wastewater discharging regimes.

Requests have been made by user groups to broaden the effluent

discharge categories and some practical problems in mitigating of

present effluent discharge standards paved the way to revise the

present standards. To overcome the raising issues CEA has

decided to review and update the National Environmental

Protection and Quality Regulation No. 01 of 2008 in order to draft

more effective and broad based standards and tolerance limits to

discharge of industrial waste water.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

As a regulatory function of the CEA, EIAs are done for all prescribed projects with the

intention of mitigating the adverse environmental impacts of such projects. The

process includes the convening of scoping meetings and technical evaluation

meetings, evaluation of EIA reports and facilitating public participation in the

process. The process ends with the granting of approval or rejection of the project.

During the period from 1st July 2010 to 30th June 2011, six (6) projects have been

approved and approvals have been extended for four (4) projects as follows.

126

Table 12.3: Environmental Impact Assessment Projects

Project Approval

01 MataraKatharagama railway extension project phase II Approved

02 Offshore sea sand extraction project at Kerawalapitiya Approved

03 Uma Oyamultipurpose Development Project Approved

04 Agriculture Land Development Project at Lorawaththa,

Doluwa by HaelingAyuruvedic (Pvt) Ltd

Approved

05 Kithulgala Mini Hydro Power Project Approved

06 Owala Mini Hydro Power Project at. – Mathale on Sudu

Ganga

Approved

07 Southern Transport Development Project Approval

extension

08 Proposed Kandy Dynasty Condominium type apartment

complex, Kandy

Approval

extension

09 Proposed alternate Highway between Colombo and

Kandy

Approval

extension

10 Moragahakanda Agricultural Development. Project by

Mahaweli Authority

Approval

extension

During the reporting period, total of 40 projects for which approval under part ivC of

the National Environmental Act, the programme under EIA regulations by the CEA. In

addition, technical assistance was given to other Project Approving Agencies (PAAs)

to implement the EIA procedure.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is done for smaller scale projects with less

impact on the environment. Implementations of IEE process for prescribed projects

which do not involve complicated environmental issues have been assigned to the

Provincial offices of the CEA. During the period review, IEE approvals have been

given for 529 projects while one project has been rejected.

127

Implementation of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

SEA for Northern Province

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a process whereby environmental

assessments are carried out for policies, plans or programmes. Sri Lanka is one of the

few countries in the Asian Region which has operationalized SEA. A comprehensive

SEA was initiated for the whole of the Northern Province consisting of the five

district of Jaffna, Vavunia, Kilinochchi, ,Mulathivu and Mannar, soon after the end of

the conflict in May 2009. The SEA for the Northern Province was carried out with the

active participation of all relevant government agencies such as the Forest

Department, Department of Wild Life Conservation, Geological Survey and Mines

Bureau, Water Resource Board, Tourism Development Authority, BOI and Disaster

Management Center.

Under the SEA all the environmentally sensitive areas such as Forest, Wildlife areas,

Elephant corridors as well as other in unique eco systems have been identified for

conservation purposes. The main purpose of this study was to develop an

opportunity map whereby development agencies could identify areas that could be

developed without restriction. This would enable rapid development of Northern

Province without undue delays or problems. This study was facilitated by the United

National Development Program with the aim of integrating the Disaster Risk

Reduction towards the rapid development initiatives in the country. The digital maps

of the Strategic Environmental Assessment can be available for the use of general

public.

SEA for Gampaha

A SEA has also being launched for the District of Gampaha. A comprehensive

industrial survey is being carried out the District of Gampaha as impacts from

industries are a major issue in this area.

128

SEA for Hambanthota

One of the major achievements of the SEA for the District of Hambantota is the

identification of a Managed Elephant Range, in order to solve the human – elephant

conflict in the area. In addition, adequate land has been allocated for other

development projects such as Airport, Seaport, Cricket Stadium, Industrial Estates,

and Tourism etc. The finalized zoning plan and the recommendations of the SEA

study have been forwarded to the Urban Development Authority for onward actions.

SEA for Uva and Central Provinces

SEA study for Uva and Central Provinces is in progress. CEA appointed a Steering

Committee to review the progress and discuss the concerns of stakeholder agencies.

A leaflet on SEA of Uva and Central Provinces has also been prepared and circulated

among the government agencies.

EIA Regulations

The CEA has taken steps to submit amendment of draft of EIA Regulations to the

Legal Draftsman through the Ministry introducing new prescribed projects.

Environmental Protection Licensing Scheme

The major regulatory programme for control of industrial pollution is the

Environmental Protection License (EPL) procedure has been assigned to the

Provincial Offices of the CEA. EPLs issued during the period are as follows

Table 12.4 -Environment Protection Licensing Scheme

“A” category EPL “B” category EPL BOI concurrence

Fresh EPLs Renewals Fresh EPLs Renewals Fresh EPLs Renewals

EPL issued 789 1229 1335 68 84 150

EPL rejected 1 - 2 - - -

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Implementation of National Green Award Scheme

The CEA has initiated a programme whereby entities which are operating in an

environmentally sustainable manner are to be recognized and rewarded. Several

awards are to be given for Industries, Local Authorities, and Schools in order to

encourage environmentally friendly behavior.

The National Green Award for 2011 was held on 23rd August 2011 at the BMICH

under the patronage of His Excellency the President.

Eco Labeling:

Eco Labeling is a system of providing an Environmental Excellence Certification to the

different products and services, who apply best environmental practices and cleaner

technologies in their processes. The Concept Paper of the progrmme containing an

Introduction to the programme, the Objectives, the Initial Selection Criteria and the

Categories of the products and services concerned has been compiled. Also the

Administration Plan and the General and Specific Requirements for the products and

services have been completed

Programme for eco-friendly livestock farming

In under to mitigate the environmental problems related to livestock farming, an

Advisory Committee has been appointed consisting of the Ministry of Health,

Department of Animal Production, CEA and Ministry of Local Government to look at

ways and means of seeking a solution to this problem.

Environment Noise Control

To amend the existing industrial noise regulations, a contract agreement has been

signed between CEA and ITI. It is expected to complete this activity within 2011.

Regulation on Noise emanating from vehicle horns

Vehicle horn regulations have been finalized and sent to AG's Department for

approval.

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School Pioneer programme

During the reporting period, under the School Pioneer Brigade programe, and

following badges were awarded to school children.

Table 12.5 – School Pioneer Awards

No Type of badge No of award

1 Thurulatha 1667

2 Vihanga 1461

3 Soba 587

4 Pioneer 8042

5 Green 1853

6 Silver 257

7 Gold 17

Collaboration with Government and Non-Governmental organizations

CEA together with Ministry of Environment strongly recognized the ability of NGOs,

in mobilizing the communities at the grass root level for the purpose of Environment

Management and Conservations. Therefore continuous dialogue between the CEA

and respective NGOs will be of great support in careering out the duties of CEA. In

order to create an enabling conducting for collaborating as in the past years. The CEA

conduct the bilateral dialogue with the NGOs working in the field of environment

management and conservations for which is participated by 125 participants. As a

result the CEA could agree on a work plan to be carried out in collaborating with

these NGOs for the current year thought out the country.

National Tree Planting Campaign

Along with the `Dayata Sevana’ tree planting programme wich have been launched

by the Ministry of Environment, CEA actively participated in this programme.

Accordingly, CEA carried out four special tree planting programme in Colombo-(Kotte

and Kirulapana canal), Gampaha-(Wadumulla Canal), Kurunegala-(Poodalupotha

Wewa), Kandy-(Pinga oya) districts.

131

In order to launch this programme in other districts, seedlings have also been

planted in nurseries in Kegalle, Moneragala, Trincomalee and Matharaand Jaffna.

More than 2,500 seedlings have been produced in each district.

Dengue Eradication Programme

Dengue eradication programmes in Colombo, Kurunegala, Ampara and Tricomalee

districts has been conducted with the support of school children under the

patronage of Ministry of Education. Other authorities and agencies such as

Department of Police, Department of Health, SriLanka Foreign Employment Bureau,

Coconut Development Board, Grama Niladaries and Community Base Organizations

have taken part to prevent the spreading of dengue in the relevant areas.

Amendment to the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980:

CEA took steps to amend the National Environment Act of 47 of 1980, to strengthen

the prosecution process on the violation of environment conservation levy act no.26

of 2008 for the purpose of effective environment and conservation. CEA recognized

comments from the Department of Legal Draftsmen for the above amendment and

it is in the process of responding for those comments.

Table 12.6 - Performance of the Legal Enforcement

Activity July 2010 to June 2011

File legal Action 122

EPL Refusal and Cancellation 90

Selection 12 and 24B Directives 20

Appeal Hearing 18

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Pilisaru Waste Management Project

The Pilisaru Project was established in the Central Environmental Authority (CEA)

with effect from 1st January 2008. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5.6

Billion for a three year period. The project duration has been further extended for a

period of 3 years from 2011. The project is to address the issue of improper solid

waste management in a nationally coordinated approach.

Objectives of the Project:

Development of a National Policy on Solid Waste Management

Development of a National Strategy on SWM

Effective education & awareness for all stakeholders on SWM including training & capacity building

Facilitation for LAS for implementation of SWM projects / programs

Legal reforms to strengthen effective law enforcement

By September 20011, The project has implemented around 80 Local Authorities in

provision of infrastructure equipments, trainings, equipments and trainings for solid

waste management in Local Authorities.

Financial Details

Total Estimated Cost – Rs Mn 5675

Cumulative Expenditure as at September 2011 – Rs Mn 1113

Budgetary Allocation for 2011 – Rs Mn 712

Expenditure for the year as at end of September 2011 – Rs Mn 285

Performance: July 2010 to June 2011

Construction of large and medium scale composting plants The construction of compost plant complex at Pohorawatta, Kalutara, Madirigiriya ,

Kolonnawa, Anuradhapura has been completed.

Establishment of sanitary land fill sites The CEA applied the Economic Development Corporation Fund loan from the Korea

Eximbank with respect to the implementation of the four sanitary landfill sites at

Malamula (Panadura), Anuradapura, Hikkaduwa and Gonadikawatta.

133

Solid waste management Programmes Funding and technical assistances were provided by the Pilisaru project to 16 Local

authorities (Municipal councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya sabhas) and Royal

College Colombo to establish Small scale composting plants.

2714 plastic compost bins were delivered to various Local authorities, schools, and

other religious places according to their request and 361 sets of waste collection bins

were provided to various places with free of charge.

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National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Programme

Open dumping and burning of post consumer plastic waste are growing problem in Sri Lanka and this problem is aggravated due to absence of a proper plastic waste management system in the country. To address this issue National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management project has been established by the Central Environment Authority under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 1257.2 million for a five year project period starting from 2007 to 2012. Major Objectives of the Project;;

to aware the public on segregation of non degradable waste as plastic/polythene, paper and glass

to build up a collection net work in the country

to build up a recycling net work in the country

Sri Lanka imports about 200,000 MTs of plastic raw materials and products in every year. 30 percent of this amount is re-exported and remaining is haphazardly disposed in to the environment without a proper treatment process which ultimately causes severe health hazards and environment degradation. This program envisages the maximum recycling of plastic waste which also generates a foreign exchange saving to the country.

Major project strategies.

Strengthen the institutional mechanism for solid waste management in every Local Authority.

Establish necessary infrastructure for solid waste management in each Local Authority or adopt appropriate alternative methods.

Financial Details

Total Estimated Cost – Rs Mn 1257.20

Cumulative Expenditure as at September 2011 – Rs Mn 235

Budgetary Allocation for 2011 – Rs Mn 100

Expenditure for the year as at end of September 2011 – Rs Mn 28

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Performance - July 2010 to June 2011

National Post Consumer Plastic waste Management Project is giving a strong contribution to build up a clean environment. In this regard, several awareness programes has been conducted to ensure the disseminating of knowledge onf post consumer plastics handling. 83 awareness programmes, 20 workshops, 01 environmental camp were conducted targeting students, schools & Sunday school teachers, government officers, householders, NGO & CBO members, etc. Most of local government authorities in Sri Lanka were provided with infrastructures to strengthen their capacities for waste management. Project distributed 1300 waste collecting bins, 99,200 waste collecting bags, 05 waste collecting tractors, 08 waste collecting trailers, 25 waste segregation permanent structures, etc.

In addition several promotional activities such as 38 environmental programs were telecast, 09 National level and 07 Regional level promotional campaigns were conducted.

Action Plan 2012

Activity Rs Mn

Activities for waste collection and recycling logistics 157

Training, development & awareness raising 14

Promotional campaigns 121.5

Research & Development cost 6

Operational Cost (Salaries & Wages, office expenses, transport, capacity building, office equipment including, computers etc. 80

136

Action Plan (CEA) -2012

Activity Financial Targets Rs.'

000'

Environmental Impact Assessment 300

Natural Resources Management 750

Research and Special Project 150

Environmental Pollution Control 750

Monitoring System of Key Environment parameters 2000

Waste Management 750

Environmental Education and Awareness 500

Environmental Law Enforcement 1000

Planning and Monitoring 300

Management of Environmental Service Delivery 1000

Personal Emoluments 293,450

Traveling Expenses 15,500

Supplies 26,100

Maintained Expenditure 15,500

Contractual Service 63,450

Divisional Recurrent 7,500

Total - Recurrent 421,500

Rehabilitation and Improvement of Capital Assets

Building and Structure Improvement 5,000

Acquisition of fixed assets

Furniture and Office Equipment 10,000

Machinery - Laboratory Equipments 2,000

Building and Structure 7,000

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Other Capital assets

Awareness Programmes 5,000

Other - Books 1,000

Total - Capital 30,000

Special Projects

Pilisaru Programme 712,400

Post Consumer Plastics Management Programme 100,000

Developing Database for Envtl. Polluting Activities in SL 5,000

Pioneer Programme 5,000

Water Quality monitoring on several river basins of the

country 500

Total 822,900

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Marine Environment Protection Authority

Introduction

Strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean close to east west shipping route

and the increased shipping activity projected within next decade has given vision to

enhance capacity in Sri Lankan commercial ports at Colombo, Hambantota,

Trincomalee. According to the “Mahinda Chinthana” development policy framework,

it is predicted the rapid development in tourism and marine related industries. In the

light of these developments Sri Lanka face a greater risk of marine pollution due to

oil/chemical spill or due to dumping of ship generated waste and need to enhance

and strengthen awareness, preparedness and capacity to counter possible threat

paused to marine environment.

Marine Pollution Prevention Authority was established under the Marine Pollution

Prevention Act No. 59 of 1981. With a view to strengthen the legal authority vested

with this authority to deal with marine pollution incidents and to implement

international conventions relating to marine pollution prevention as applicable to

GOSL, existing act was repealed and Marine Pollution Prevention act No. 35 of 2008

was enacted and came into operation with effect from 01st January 2009. In keeping

line with the act this authority was re-named as Marine Environment Protection

Authority.

The Responsibilities and functions of the Authority

To effectively and efficiently administer and implement the provisions of

Marine Environment protection act and the regulations made there under

To formulate and execute a scheme of work for the prevention, reduction,

control and management of pollution arising out of ship based activity and

shore base maritime related activity in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka or

any other maritime zone declared at a future date under such law, its fore

shore and the coastal zone of Sri Lanka.

To conduct research in collaboration with other departments, agencies and

institutions for both the government and private sector for the purpose of

prevention, reduction control and management of pollution arising out of

139

any ship based activity or any other maritime zone declared at a future date

under such law, its fore share and the coastal zone of Sri Lanka.

To take measures to manage safeguard and preserve the territorial water of

Sri Lanka or any other maritime zone declared at a future date under such

law, its fore share and the coastal zone of Sri Lanka

To provide adequate and effective reception facilities for any oil, harmful

substances or any other pollutant

To recommend adherence to all international conventions and relevant

protocols dealing with marine pollution which the government of Sri Lanka

has or may ratify, accept, accede to or approve.

To formulate and implement the national oil pollution contingency plan

To oversee, regulate and supervise the conduct of the contractors and

person conducting or engaged in exploration of natural resources, service ,

sub-contractors and person conducting or engaged in exploration of natural

resources including petroleum or related activities

To create awareness amongst groups of community of the need to preserve

the marine environment.

To do all such other acts or things as may be necessary for the discharge of

all or any of the above functions.

To effectively safeguard and preserve the territorial waters of Sri Lanka or

any other maritime zone declared under the maritime zones law or which

may be declared at a future date under such law from any pollution arising

out of any ship based or shore based maritime related activity.

To conduct investigations and inquiries and to institute legal action in

relation to any pollution, arising out of any ship based activity or shore based

maritime related activity,

To oversee all sea transport of oil and bunkering operations that are carried

out in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka or any other maritime zone declared

under the maritime zones law or which may be declared at a future date

under such law, for the purpose of prevention of pollution.

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Progress : July 2010 - June 2011

National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP)

A three day workshop was held for the purpose of creating awareness on

National Oil spill Contingency Plan for the benefit of the first respondents.

(December 2010 at Foundation Institute)

21 Programms were held in which officers of Divisional Secretariats,

GramaNiladaris and officers of non-governmental organizations in the coastal

zone from Hambantota to Puttlam to create an awareness on the

implementation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and to keep update the

plans at district level to implement in the event of an emergency, the total

participation exceeded 1300. This awareness programs included lectures and

practical training.

Four sets of equipment used to identify harmful gases when responding to an

accident involving vessels carrying chemical substance were purchased.

(November 2010) to strengthen the institutional capacity to deal with

oil/chemical spill.

International Conventions and Draft Regulations

With the enactment of Marine Pollution Prevention Act, No.35 of 2008, MEPA

has been vested with regulatory authority to deal with Marine Pollution incidents

and to implement international conventions relating to Marine pollution

prevention as applicable to GOSL. Accordingly, the regulations are being drafted

under the provisions of the Act with a view to enhance the regulatory authority

vested with MEPA and regulations covering all area under the Act was drafted

and handed over to legal Draftsman department. The Gazette regulation

governing the “offshore Exploration for and Exploration of Natural Resources

including Petroleum” (marine Environment protection) regulation no.1 of 2011

was promulated to be effect from the 26th day of May 2011.

141

School Marine Groups Related activities ( Haritha Lanka Progremme)

During the period June 2010 to June 2011, 125 awareness program and field

excursions have been organized for the benefit of School Marine Groups and

Over 5000 school children participated. Through these programmes the

message of importance of Ocean and Marine Environment for the man kind

was effectively conveyed to the school children.

The national ceremony commemorating the World Ocean Day was held on

board Sri Lanka Navy “Jetliner” ship with the participation of Hon. Anura

Priyadarshana Yapa, the Minister of Environment, as the chief guest.

A competition was held among the children of school marine groups to

design an insignia, to create enthusiasm on protecting the ocean. The

winners were awarded with the prizes and certificates.

Maps, Magazines and Posters were given to Marine Information Centers

established in schools located along the coastal belt. In addition 70 more

centers were established during the year and the resources for same have

been provided.

Awareness Program

The national ceremony for the commemoration of World Ocean Day 08 June

2011 was held on board the Jetliner ship of Sri Lanka Navy with the

participation of Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Environment, as

chief guest. During this ceremony, the heads of institutions associated with

marine environment, government officials and about 230 school children

participated. In this programs the audience were made aware of the ways in

which the marine environment is being polluted and the nature of ocean

related accidents.

“Sonduru Sauara” Programme

Action has been taken to purchase seven portable water quality testing sets

for the purpose of monitoring the water quality in locations where waste

water is released to the sea (sea out falls).These equipments will be issued to

142

the District office and the data will be used to build a national level

information database.

Research activities conducted in collaboration with Sri Jayawardanapura

University on the dispersal of alien invasive organisms through ballast water

released by vessels calling at commercial harbors in Sri Lanka is being

continued.

Prevention of Pollution Resulting from Activities Related to Fishing

A pilot project has been implemented at Mirissa Fisheries Harbor to

determine the manners in which the waste should be managed inside

fisheries harbors. In addition to Marine Environment Protection Authority,

the other institutions collaborating in this project are Coast Guard

Department, Fisheries Harbor Corporation and the Moratuwa University.

Based on the outcome of this project, waste management programs will be

introduced to other fisheries harbors as well.

The importance of collecting the used oil was explained to the fishing

fraternity and two tanks each with a capacity of 1500 liters were installed at

the newly constructed Fisheries Harbours at Valachchenai and Kilinochchi for

collection of waste oil.

Testing of Sea Water Quality

Water quality tests being conducted on monthly basis in areas like Beruwala

and Maragalla, (where famous for bathing) have revealed that the feacal

coliform found in human excreta is present in the sea water to an extent that

exceeds the maximum permissible level of 150 MPN. The data comparison

with the year 2010 shows that feacal coliform in water has increased and it is

evident that this is due to the shore based pollution activities.

Action has been taken for procurement of a set of equipment for testing of

water quality at long sea out falls, where waste water from the Colombo city

is discharged into the sea.

143

Study of changes in temperature in sea water due to the water discharged by

the cooling system of the “Lakvijaya” Thermal Power Plant at Norachcholai is

being done in collaboration with Norachcholai unit of the navy. Analysis of

temperature values indicates that, an increase of temperature by about 30C.

At 100m distance towards the coast from the point of discharge of hot water.

Improvement of Laboratory Facilities

Under this program, an opportunity has been provided for the Authority to

conduct water quality testing which have been done earlier at other

laboratories. Equipment and chemicals required for some studies has been

purchased and some other chemicals will be purchased during the next

quarter.

Waste Reception Facilities

Arrangement have been made to provide waste reception services to the

ships calling at commercial harbors in Sri Lanka by registering 21 service

providers with necessary qualifications for the year 2011. Necessary action

has been taken to ensure the satisfactory continuation of this service.

Publicity Programme

A documentary film was produced to provide information for the public on

the responsibilities and functions of the Marine Environment Protection

Authority and marine pollution in Sri Lanka.

Quarterly journal “Samudura Puwath”(300 copies) and “SathSamudura”, a

journal published in commemoration of the World Ocean Day (1000 copies)

have been published by the Authority.

Leaflets were published in Sinhala, Tamil and English on the importance of

marine environment systems and the need to keep them free of pollution. A

63,000 no’s of leaflets were printed.

144

Oil Exploration Activities in Deep Sea

The Authority is serving as the approving agency for the projects related to oil

exploration in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). As at now approval has been

granted for oil exploration in the Gulf of Mannar. In fulfillment of this obligation

the Authority has taken action to mitigate environmental impact, stipulate

conditions, and appoint a technical evaluation committee to evaluate the

Environmental Impact Assessment Report and conditional approval for the report.

The Authority will also take necessary steps to issue the permits and monitor the

project after its commencement,

145

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

Introduction

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), successor to the former Geological

Survey Department was established in 1993 under the Mines and Minerals Act.

1992, No. 33.

The major functions of the Bureau are:

To undertake the systematic geological mapping of Sri Lanka and the

preparation of geological maps

To identify and assess the mineral resources of Sri Lanka

To evaluate commercial viability of mining for, processing and export of such

minerals

To regulate exploration and mining for minerals and the processing, trading in

and export of such minerals, by the issue of licenses

To advise the Minister on measures to be adopted for the promotion of the

extraction and production of minerals, on a commercial basis

Major Challenges

Explore and quantify mineral deposits and ensure sustainable uses

Optimal utilization of mineral resources of the country in an efficient, safe and

environmentally friendly manner

Regulate mining to reduce adverse socio – economic and environmental

impacts

Assist early warning mechanisms and damage minimization of natural hazards

such as landslides and tsunami

Implements Mines and Mineral Act

Organizational Structure

The activities of the Bureau are implemented by two technical divisions namely

‘Geology Division’ and ‘Mines Division’ with the support of the Human Resource

Division.

146

Geology Division

Activities of the Geology Division are of two types:

Planned activities carried out with GSMB funds in accordance with core

functions of the Bureau, (i.e. geological mapping, quaternary mapping, soil

geochemical mapping) and dissemination of mineral/geological information

Income generating undertakings as client responsive projects (i.e. core

drilling, mineral surveys, geophysical surveys, laboratory services)

Progress : July 2010- June 2011

Planned activities carried out with GSMB funds

Geological Mapping

o Compilation of 1:100,000 Aralaganwila-Paddiruppu Geological map was

completed during this period and the map was ready for printing.

o Since the preparation of 1:100,000 scale geological maps covering the country

are nearing completion, it was decided to compile a 1:500,000 scale geological

map of Sri Lanka by merging the published 1:100,000 scale geological maps. A

plotter-print of the first draft map (Geological Map of Sri Lanka) was obtained in

June 2011.

Progress of Detailed Geological Mapping and Memoir Preparation:

Field work was completed of the Colombo - Ratnapura, 1:100,000 map sheet. Over

300 rock samples were collected for petrological study. Currently, laboratory work

and geological interpretation activities are in progress. By end of June 2011, about

40percent of the work has been completed and expected to publish the map in early

2012.

147

Progress of Quaternary Mapping and Map Printing:

For the year 2011, it was planned to print three (03) 1:50,000 scale Quaternary maps

(Ambalangoda-Balapitiya, Chilaw and Kalutara) based on the fieldwork carried out in

2010.

By end of July 2011, 1:50,000 Quaternary maps of Ambalangoda-Balapitiya and

Kalutara were completed and submitted to a Technical Committee for evaluation.

However, compilation of Chilaw 1:50,000 sheets are being delayed as the officer

involved in this work has met with an accident.

Field work in two new map areas (Tanagalle-Hambantota and Battaluoya)

commenced in March and has progressed satisfactorily.

Progress of Geochemical Mapping:

Sample collecting in Medawachchiya and Thimbolketiya 1:50,000 sheets commenced

in March 2011. As at 30th July 2011, progress of fieldwork in two map areas is as

follows:

Medawachchiya: 55 percent (against planned 60percent) of soil sample collection

(535 samples out of 1000) is completed.

Timbolketiya – 60 percent (against planned 60percent) of soil sample collection (510

samples out of about 850) is completed. Installation of new Inductively Coupled

Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) was completed in March 2011 and

calibrations and testing of various sample types were carried out during April and

May. Analysis of soil samples commenced in June 2011.

Progress of Compilation of Mineral Year Book – 2011

Mineral year book is an annual publication, containing annual statistics on

production, sales, consumption, exports and imports of minerals and mineral based

products of Sri Lanka. The report will help to make projections such as future mineral

demands, market potential and threats to the availability of some mineral etc.,.

Compilation of mineral year book for the year 2011 was completed and handed over

for printing.

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Progress of Activities Planned for Seismic Data Collection and Geo-Hazard

Monitoring:

Installation of two seismic stations were successfully completed in May 2011 and

these stations are now transmitting real-time data. Specifications for hardware

required for data storage were prepared and submitted to Information and

Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) for further observations.

Restoration and construction of facilities at Sigiriya rock:

This project was undertaken at the request of Central Cultural Fund and Department

of Archeology. Project was completed in March 2011.

Diamond Core Drilling Investigations in Kalu Ganga Dam Axis and Tunnel Trace

Areas:

On the request of Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) and LAHMEYER

International Ltd. (consultants to the project) GSMB undertook drilling investigations

to check the suitability of proposed site for erection of Dam across Kalu Ganga. In

this investigation, a total of 13 drill holes with a total meterage of about 550m were

drilled.

Mining Division

Major function

Evaluate commercial viability of mining for processing and export of minerals

under the Mines and Minerals Act No.33 of 1992

Regulate the exploration and mining for minerals and the processing, trading

in and export of such minerals by the issuance of licenses

Advise the minister on measures to be adopted for the promotion of the

extraction and production of minerals on a commercial basis

149

Routine Activities

Regulate and monitor metal quarry operations

Regulate and monitor of sand mining and transport

Regulate and monitor clay, gravel, soil etc… excavation and transport

Regulate and monitor environmental and social impacts in collaboration with

other agencies

Revenue collection (royalty and License fee) from mining and mineral exports

Type of Licenses

Exploration licenses

Mining licenses (Artisanal, Industrial, Reserved Minerals)

Trading licenses

Export licenses

Transport licenses

Income Achieved by Mines Division from July 2010 to June 2011

Year Month Income (Rs) Cumulative Income (Rs)

20

10

July 61,899,292.94 61,899,292.94

August 53,918,229.23 115,817,522.17

September 58,932,393.99 174,749,916.16

October 65,938,223.86 240,688,140.02

November 45,929,111.09 286,617,251.11

December 57,680,965.14 344,298,216.25

20

11

January 72,640,683.92 416,938,900.17

February 55,110,683.11 472,049,583.28

March 60,856,771.42 532,906,354.70

April 56,124,570.02 589,030,924.72

May 55,493,625.92 644,524,550.64

June 57,142,610.06 701,667,160.70

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Performance 2010, Action Plan 2011 and 2012

Rs.

INCOME DESCRIPTION ACTUAL 2010 ACTION PLAN

2011

ACTION PLAN

2012

Royalties

Royalties on Mining 453,574,365.58 490,000,000.00 514,500,000.00

License Fees

Exploration 1,797,000.00 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00

Industrial 16,372,000.00 17,000,000.00 17,850,000.00

Reserved Mineral - - -

Artisanal Mining 6,570,250.00 6,000,000.00 6,060,000.00

Trading 4,780,000.00 5,000,000.00 5,000,000.00

Export 3,005,000.00 3,100,000.00 3,131,000.00

Transport 25,098,750.00 25,000,000.00 27,000,000.00

Inspection Chargers 95,192,635.00 100,000,000.00 103,000,000.00

Other Operating Income

Test Blast 2,651,250.00 2,000,000.00 2,000,000.00

Mining Refund (Service

charge) 68,787.50 37,000.00 37,000.00

Sundry Income Mining 9,824,564.52 9,000,000.00 9,000,000.00

Total Income

618,934,602.60

658,137,000.00

688,578,000.00

EXPENSES

Awareness programs for

Government officers and

Public 7,000,000.00 7,000,000.00

Organization of

rehabilitation programs 7,000,000.00 7,000,000.00

Arrangement of Exhibitions 150,000.00 150,000.00

Total Expenses 14,150,000.00 14,150,000.00

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Major Activities done by Mines Division up to the end of June, 2011

Inauguration of the blasting course for middle scale quarry managers,

collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and Central Environmental

Authority. Major objective of this blasting course is to provide better

theoretical and practical knowledge about blasting materials, methodologies

and social and environmental impacts related to quarry blasting activities.

“ApataGeyak” housing program donated a house worth One Million Rupees

to a selected poor family in Monaragala. This donation was arranged by the

Monaragala Regional Office of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau with

the collaboration of Monaragala sand and metal quarry licence holders. This

function was headed by Hon. Environmental Minister Anura Priyadarshana

Yapa.

Decentralization of the authority of issuance licences to Divisional Secretaries

for Sand, Soil and Gravel in order to cater the requirement of rural

development projects and to provide construction materials for the neediest

people of the society. Legal and procedural documents were distributed

among all Divisional Secretaries of the country and a service of awareness

program is being carried out by the Mines Division.

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State Timber Corporation

Introduction

The State Timber Corporation was established in April 1968, under the State

Industrial Corporation Act No 49 of 1957. The objectives and function of the STC as

per Gazette notification no.14796 of 4th April 1968 and 178/10 of 5th February 1982

and 11907 of 26th June 2001 are as follows.

Major Responsibilities

Extraction of Timber from Forests, conversion of such timber into sawn

timber and finished products. Sale of logs, sawn timber and finished products

and construction of forest roads required for the above purpose.

Acquisition, construction and operation of logging units, sawmills,

impregnation and preservation plants, seasoning and drying kilns and other

equipment and installations.

Operation of Timber and Firewood Sales depots.

Manufacture and marketing of by-products from timber.

Import of timber.

Aforestation, Reforestation and scientific management of forests and forest

plantations.

Agriculture production.

Export of timber related finished products.

Purchase of timber from private lands.

Processing of forest related products.

Import of Cane

Major Challenges

To handle all productions and disposal of logs, sawn timber and other timber

based products in an environmental friendly manner.

To develop standards for timber and timber based products with a view to

satisfy the needs of customers belong to various sectors/groups.

Inspection and certification of quality of timber

To offer the products at an affordable price

To satisfactorily complete the projects identified by the Board of Management,

which has been planned and proposed to realize the “Mahinda Chinthanaya"

153

Progress : July 2010 - June 2011

Performance

Activity Target Progress

Physical Financial Physical Financial

Rs.'000 Rs.'000

Logs M3

122,704 1,338,499 88,583 1,402,935

Sawn Timber M3

6,686 316,610 3,371 219,768

Transmission Poles No. 43,470 365,820 15,516 192,462

Sleepers No.

148,690 1,183,875 60,789 583,114

Round Poles No.

52,239 3,857 61,930 5,387

Fence Posts No.

51,450 3,030 43,720 4,396

Firewood M3

44,510 23,630 82,077 43,428

Elephant Poles No. 19,370 26,952 10,914 13,824

Imported Timber M3

6,400 800,000

Furniture Rs. Mill.

150.2 211,045 87.3 102,724

Others

9,043 6,631

Source Timber Production

Crown Private

Land Land

Production of Logs (m3)

81,412 7,171

Production of Sawn Timber (m3)

3,371 -

Production of Transmission Poles (No.) 9,891 5,625

Production of Sleepers (No.)

30,316 30,473

Production of Round Poles (No.)

61,000 930

Production of Fence Posts (No.)

39,965 3,755

Production of Elephant Poles (No.)

10,914 -

Production of Firewood (m3)

71,937 10,140

154

Infrastructural Development works of State Timber Corporation

Construct new Regional office in Kandy cost of Rs.19.8 million and Jaffna cost

of Rs.8.9 million

Opened the New Furniture Showroom at Boossa cost of Rs.30 million

Construction of circuit bungalows at Sellakataragama and Pannipitiya

estimate Rs. 13.4 million and Rs.12 million in progress

Employee’s quarters in Wellawaya Depot cost of Rs.2.6million, Kumbukkana

Depot cost of Rs.2.7million and Boralanda Depot cost of Rs.1.2million

Construct 09 no. of Pre-fabricated steel ware houses at Meerigama,

Nainamadama, Egodauyana , Orugodawata, Unawatuna, Vauniya, Boralanda

and Beruwala timber depots cost of Rs.30million

Published Books and Scientific Papers

A Hand Book on sustainable forest plantation was published by STC. This text

book consist 10 chapters covering from Forest Management to Timber

Utilization. Target group of this book is Diploma Student of Timber

Technology Training Institute, Forestry, student of Universities and timber

industry people.

Publishing hundred posters of Sri Lankan timber species and detailed

information of particular timber species on Vidusara scientific news paper to

mark international forest year 2011. Each poster contains silvicutural

information, physical, mechanical, anatomical wood properties and uses of

timber.

Bio diversity Park at Minneriya

The bio diversity park which was established in Minneriya in a 10 hectare has

been facilitated with bio diversity exhibits and bio diversity related teaching

materials.

Scientific Literature 2010-2011

The STC took steps to print the diaries of year 2010 and 2011 incorporating

colored pictures and scientific descriptions to introduce important trees and

to demonstrate the diversity of timber tree species of Sri Lanka.

155

Major Activities Planned for 2012

Activity Target

Physical Financial

Rs.'000

Logs M3

76,960 1,239,211

Sawn Timber M3

4,950 320,470

Transmission Poles No. 27,500 214,500

Sleepers No.

100,000 825,000

Round Poles No.

40,000 3,000

Fence Posts No.

30,000 1,800

Firewood M3

60,000 45,000

Furniture Rs.Mill.

135.0 200,000

Imported Timber M3

5,000 675,000

Elephant Poles No. 12,000 14,400

Expected Stumpage Payment : Rs. 663 mil

Expected Other Expenditure : Rs.2234 mil

Revenue Forecasted - net : Rs.3,580mil

Expected Profit - before Levy/Tax : Rs. 683 mil

156

National Gem and Jewellery Authority

Introduction

National Gem and Jewellery Authority was established by Act No. 50 of 1993, on 4th

March 1994 to develop, regulate and promote the Gem and Jewellery Industry in Sri

Lanka.

Objectives and Functions

• To promote and develop the gem industry and the jewellery industry.

• To initiate and implement schemes for the promotion and development of

the Gem and Jewellery industry.

• To exploit the market for gem and jewellery whether in or outside Sri Lanka

and to promote the demand for such gem and jewellery in world markets.

• To promote and sponsor technical training of personnel on every aspect

relating to the gem and jewellery industry.

• To prevent unlawful gemming and the unlawful removal of gems from Sri

Lanka.

• To provide technical and other guidelines as well as the infrastructure

facilities necessary for the marketing of gems and jewellery.

• To establish offices for certification of gems and assaying of precious metal.

• To provide for the jewellery manufactured in Sri Lanka to be stamped with a

Hall mark in the prescribed manner.

• To collect statistics from persons engaged in the gem and jewellery industry

on any matter relating to the gem and jewellery industry.

• To regulate and control the terms and conditions of employment of persons

who work in the gem and jewellery industry and in particular the safety

measures to be taken to protect such persons from danger to life and limb.

157

Major Challenges

• The primary shortcomings presently faced by the Gem and Jewellery Industry

as well as the NGJA is the absence of a National Policy for the Industry.

Lack of opportunities for skills development and retaining of trained

personnel in the industry due to nonexistence of social security systems.

• The industry lacks training in advanced lapidary techniques which are

required for competing with the highly developed trade in polished

gemstones in India, Thailand, Hong Kong and China.

• Poor use of latest technology and lack of design talent.

• Regulations on jewellery industry are yet to be implemented.

• According to a decision of “Parisara Saba”, release the river beds for auction

has been suspended.

• Interferences on releasing of gem bearing land for auction.

Progress

July 2010 - June 2011

Introduce and Enforce stricter legislation including severe penalties for

default in rehabilitation of mined areas.

Backfilled the auctioned land of the Horana Newchatal Estate and Hasalaka,

Welgahawadiya.

Halangoda Lake Development project will facilitate Gem extraction inside

Diyathalawa Army Camp Premises.

Backfilling completed in lands of Bagawanthalawa –Kotiyagala Estate-

Chapolton division and reconstructed the river bank using Gabion method.

Tree planting programme conducted at the river banks of the Kuru Ganga,

with the collaboration of DS office, Kiriella.

Continuous raids have been conducted to prevent the illicit gem mining at

Kuruvita Pradise Estate, Ratnapura Niralgama, Nivithigala Dodampawatta,

Pelmadulla, Kuttapitiya and Hangamuwa.

158

Formulate a special task force to prevent illicit gem mining

Formulated the “National Enforcement Division” at Ehaliyagoda DS and

allocated required staff and other resources. Number of Raids :- 478Fines :-

Rs. Mn. 8.7

Awareness Programmes

Eleven awareness programmes have been successfully conducted at schools

of Moneragala district with the participation of 913 Beneficiaries coinciding

with “Deyata Kirula 2010”.

Table 12.7 - Market Opportunities for Gem and Jewellery

International Trade Fairs

and Exhibitions Duration Beneficiaries

South Asian Commodity Fair

in Kunming, China

6-10 June 2010 29

Singapore International

Jewellery Fair

30 July-01 August 2010 10

Facets, Sri Lanka 02 - 05 September 2010 20

China International Jewellery

Fair(Beijing)

11-15 November 2010 32

China Gold, Jewellery and

Gem Fair

25-28 November 2010 16

Hong Kong International

Jewellery Fair

04 - 08 March 2011 4

Luster Sri Lanka 31 March – 2nd April 2011 15

Shanghai Jewellery Fair 16 - 19 June 2011 28

4th South Asian Commodity

Fair – Gem and Jewellery

Sector Participation

4 – 10 June 2011 45

Singapore International Gem

Fair

30 July - 01 August 2011 12

159

Promoted Gem and Jewellery Sector participation at the South Asian

Commodity fair held in Chendu the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Export

Development Board.

Successfully organized the “Jewels Sri Lanka 2010” Exhibition with the

collaboration of the Gemmologists Association of Sri Lanka.

Facilities have been provided to gem and jewellery exporters to participate at

exhibitions in China and India on their own to expand their market.

Organized a training programme in Bangkok, Thailand on jewellery designing

techniques for seven Sri Lankan jewellery designers at the Gem and Jewellery

Institute of Thailand with the assistance of the Foreign Ministry of Thailand

and the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka.

At the invitation extended by Hon. Basil Rajapakshe, Minister of Economic

Development, Chairman of NGJA joined as a member of the special

investment promotion delegation to Japan and India to enhance business

opportunities on Gems and Jewellery.

Advertised in Jewellery News Asia Magazine - October issue, 2010 to

promote the Sri Lankan Gems and Jewellery in Chinese Market.

Published an advertisement in the “Trade Fair Guide Book” in Chinese to

promote Sri Lankan sapphires in China.

Organized Sri Lanka pavilions at the Exhibition held in China.

Ensure the Facilitation of value adding process and exports

Seven Lectures have been successfully conducted with the participation of

330 stakeholders to educate them on value adding Process and Exports.

Determination of metal amount in jewellery products.

Awareness programmes have been carried to educate the Tourist Police

officials, members of the trade and officials at the Tourist Development

Authority.

Assessments have been conducted by independent assessors to obtain

accreditation for Assay office.

160

Census on Gem and Jewellery industry

A census of Jewellery industry has been completed in following Districts: Ratnapura,

Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, NuwaraEliya, Colombo, Kegalle, Kandy, Kalutara,

Hambantota, Gampaha, Galle. Arrangements have been made to conduct the census

in North and East with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Army

Capacity Building of Human Resources

New Organizational Structure has been approved by the Salaries and Cadre

Commission and the Department of Management Services for the Authority.

A Performance evaluation system has been implemented since 2008 and

evaluations have been conducted every six months.

New Disciplinary Code has been prepared and awaits board approval for

implementation.

41 Employees have been sent on Training and Development programmes at a

cost of Rs. 961,167.00

Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes for the industry stakeholders

Nine Scholarships have been awarded to children of Gem Miners with the

collaboration of private sector.

Successfully organized problem solving programme in Monaragala District

named “Lak Polowe Mini Keta”.

Rs. 480,000 has been donated to 8 gem miners and police officers to

compensate deaths and injuries.

Provided a heat treatment furnace to gemming Association in Monaragala

District.

Donated a sound system to the Central Collage, Pinnawala to commemorate

the World Environmental Day and Organized NGJA Pavilion at the exhibition

there.

Donated a Television and DVD to Matuagala School (Eheliyagoda) with the

collaboration of Mine owners.

161

Progress: July 2010 - June 2011

Exports Performance

Issuance of Licenses and Raids Conducted

Certification of Gems and Jewellery (Assaying)

Gem Land Auctions

Number of Blocks - 166

Bid Amount - Rs. Mn 44

Description Export Value

(Rs.Mn)

Gems 8733

Contract Gem Cutting 173

Gem Stutted Jewellery 1554

Diamond (Re-Export) 36667

Diamond Jewellery 365

Geuda 135

Semi Precious for Processing and

Re-Import

6

Total 47633

Description Number Income (Rs.Mn)

Gemming Licenses 4175 23.5

Dealers Licenses 4022 18.6

Jewellery Registration 1073 5.3

Lapidary Licenses 184 0.2

Gem Auction Licenses 270 0.2

Item Number of

Certificates.

Income

(Rs.Mn.)

Gem Testing 3613 1.7

Assaying

Hallmarking

5520 2.1

162

Summary of the Financial Statement

Action Plan - 2012

Main Activity Estimated

Cost (Rs.Mn)

Formulate a National Policy for Gem and Jewellery industry in Sri

Lanka by 2012. 1

Introduce, promote and practice environmental friendly gem mining

techniques and achieve trade acceptable standards 6

Upgrade the jewellery manufacturing industry through capacity

building of traditional craftsmen and promote and re-position their

industry.

0.7

Rehabilitation and Regulatory activities 13

Special mining projects in lakes and rivers. 4

Consultancy on mining in sensitive locations. 1

Providing services to the miners on gem gravel survey. 4

Achieve legally enforceable Assaying and Hallmarking of all jewellery

products. 285

Achieve an increase in export value of Gems and Jewellery 76

Achieve corporate social responsibility through establishing a

comprehensive welfare system to industry stakeholders. 5

Have the best competencies and resources with regard to human

resources to cater to the demand in the Gem and Jewellery Industry. 118

Income Rs.Mn. 133

Expenses Rs.Mn. 155

Expenditure over Income

(Before Tax)

Rs. Mn. 22

163

Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute

Introduction

Sri Lanka retains a world market position as a producer of quality natural gems. This

country is believed to possess one of the world’s largest gemstone repositories, with

concentration of gem mining located in the Central and Southwest and Uva regions of

the country. However, frequent re-mining together with the absence of a broadly

accepted mining policy, traditional and less productive mining methods and little

research into mineral deposit reserves have been affecting this resource base.

The techniques of finding and recovering of gemstones have changed very little over

the years. It is generally done on a low-tech, artisan level miners digging by hand or

with light equipment. In most places, exploration is a hit-and-miss process, with

deposits typically being small and widely dispersed. Miners dig, and either they get

lucky or they don’t.

The Gem cutting and polishing industry consists of cutters of free-sized gemstones,

calibrated gem stones and diamonds. There are about 25,000 cutters employed in all

three categories, of which about 5,000 are in the diamond cutting sector, mainly in

BOI Projects.

However, there exists a dearth of skills in the Gem and Jewellery Industry. The supply

or availability of skilled personnel in mining, cutting and polishing, and also craftsmen

with technical skills such as the use of heat-treatment techniques, gem setting,

jewellery designing and jewellery manufacturing trades is much lower than the

demand for such skills. At the same time, the future potential for the growth of the

Gem and Jewellery Industry and the export market for gem and jewellery products in

the World Market is promising.

In order to meet these challenges, the Hon Minister of Finance, in July 1995, under

Section 25 (1) of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act, established the Gem

and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI). The objective of the

establishment of GJRTI was to “provide research and training facilities for the

regulation, promotion and development of the Gem and Jewellery Industry.

164

Major Responsibilities

Conduct a Survey on Gems in Sri Lanka;

Conduct Gem Science Research by Location, Identification, Colour enhancement, and other related areas.

Provision of technical advice for the development and production of equipment on the Gem and Jewellery Industry including Mining, cutting, jewellery production and Heat-Treatment systems.

Provision of Training facilities on Gem cutting; Production of Jewellery; Gemmology including Diamonds; Jewellery design; Colour enhancement of gems; and Other areas of Gem and Jewellery industry.

Conduct of Workshops, Seminars, and Publication of books and papers on related subjects

Any other activity necessary for the provision of services of the Institution.

Major Challengers

• Explore possible gem deposit occurrences and evaluate.

• Give measures / recommendations to utilize of gem resources of the country

in safe and environmental friendly manner.

• Identify optimum methods of enhancing gem stones.

• Educate the stakeholders and community in the fields of gem cutting,

jewellery manufacturing, gemology, jewellery designing, enhancement of

gem stones and other ralated aspects.

165

Progress: July 2010 - June 2011

Exploration and Assessment of Gem Deposits in Sri Lanka (EAGDSL)

This project has been organized according to the “Mahinda Chinthana” manifesto,

focusing low income generating areas in Sri Lanka. The project was initiated in

Wellawaya and Buttala Divisional Secretariat in Moneragala District in Uva

Province in 2010. The treasury has granted sum of Rs 36 million for four year

period.

With parallel to Dayata Kirula 2011, a site office has been set up at Unawatuna,

Buttala. Currently, laboratory investigations for the identification of possible gem

stones, mapping of possible occurrences of primary and secondary gem deposits,

Integration of field data with topography, geology and available images, and

characterization of possible gem deposit occurrences are being carried out.

Impact of Gem Mining on Environment in Kalu Ganga Catchment

This project has mainly focused on Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact of

Gem Mining in Kaluganga Catchment, based on primary data gathered from field

survey undertaken in Ratnapura District. Malpractices were identified in the

aspects of Impact on river bank and bed, surface water, Land/ Earth, vegetation

cover and land use, fauna and flora, manmade structures, and human lives.

Studies were continued to suggest recommendation/remedial measures to

reduce/avoid severe damages on environment by gem mining. The findings has

been presented and published at the Annual Technical Sessions of the Geological

Society of Sri Lanka (GSSL) in February, 2011 to educate the society.

166

Figure 12.1: Kalu Ganga Gemming Area

Exploration and Assessment of Gold Occurrences in Kalu Ganga Basin

The history of gold mining in Sri Lanka can be dated back to more than 2000 years.

But only some very small scale manual mining of gold takes place mostly along with

gem mining at present using traditional methods. Therefore updating the gold

location inventories and exploration of new gold bearing areas using appropriate

scientific tools is very necessary at the present. Exploration and exploitation of these

deposits will hasten the economic development of the country for the future. This

project has been planned for Exploration and Assessment Gold Occurrences in Kalu

Ganga Basin. Field Investigation, Sample collection and preparation of sample for

further analysis is been continued for identification for economic gold occurrences.

167

Maintenance of Stakeholder based Resource Centre on Gem and Jewellery

industry

A resource centre on gem and jewellery industry of Sri Lanka is exceptional for

regulation and promotion of the industry in the country. Further, this is very useful

to get necessary information about the gem industry for students, researchers,

visitors, information collectors, and other stakeholders etc.

A prototype of the spatial database of gem potential areas of Sri Lanka has been

developed. The populating of the database and the maintaining of the resource

centre is being done.

Establishing optimum heat treatment condition for thick geuda

Optimum heat treatment conditions have been established for some geuda verities

in Sri Lanka. However, heat treatment condition for thick geuda is still not

established. Therefore, in this research mainly focused on establishing optimum heat

treatment condition for thick geuda.

Results of preliminary studies clearly show that blue color of thick geuda can be

improved by heat treatment technique. The study is continued to identify the

optimum conditions to get the best colour and clarity, for thick geuda.

Establishment of specific heat treatment condition for different geuda

varieties in the Monaragala District.

Geochemical analysis of heated and non-heated geuda in Sri Lanka is limited.

Therefore, in this study is planning to study geochemical variation of geuda samples

during the heat treatment process and obtain optimum heat treatment condition for

selected geuda in the area. Currently, this project is at the process of collection

geuda samples from Monaragala Area.

a. Training and skill Development programmes: facilitating for environmental

friendly developments in Gem and Jewellery Industry in Sri Lanka.

168

Gemmology field (207 Students)

Gemology 40

Heat treatment 69

Gem cutting 50

Colour grading and marketing 48

Jewellery Field (97 Students)

Jewellery Designing 36

Jewellery Manufacturing 54

Stone Setting 7

Total - Students 304

b. Functioned six training centers during the period disseminating activities

under the institute throughout the country: Rathnapura, Colombo, Galle,

Kandy, Buttala and Hambantota.

c. Buttala area is one of a rich locality for gems and many other raw minerals.

Hence a training center under the Deyata kirula development programme

was established to provide training in gem cutting and Jewellery making

expecting to stimulate gem and Jewellery goods manufacturing in this area.

d. Huge volumes of costume Jewelries are being imported since local costumer

market for these items is rapidly growing. However local production is very

little even today. Therefore a training programme is introduced to offer skills,

knowledge and technology to local manufactures, is to be established

manufacturing industries of these items in Sri Lanka.

e. Training programmers are upgraded for National vocational Qualified

stranded (NVQ) to ensure quality of training programs. Then our students are

able to receive NVQ certification with international acceptance.

169

Financial Performance - July 2010 - June 2011

Projects/ Programme Budgeted Rs.’000

Actual Rs ‘000

Treasury Grant-Capital 18,808 6,304

Treasury Grant-Recurrent 29,727 25,867

Training Programmes 4,835 3,274

Others 385 477

Total 53,755 35,922

Capital Expenditure Rs’(000)

Rehabilitation and Improvement of Capital Assets 350 -

Acquisition of Capital Assets 5,682 2,184

Exploration of Gem Deposit Project 9,000 1,900

Research on Value Added on Gem Stones 762 -

Exhibition & Development of Training Programme 875 1,097

Dayata Kirula Programme 1,000 756

Development of Database in Gemming Area 63 7

Setup Mini Laboratory/Museum 250 -

Research on Other Minerals and Metals 260 11

Information Resource Centre 113 -

Human Resource Development 150 68

Restructuring Expenses 290 260

Environment Assessment of Gemming Area 13 21

Total 18,808 6,304

Recurrent Expenditure Budgeted Rs.’000

Actual Rs ‘000

Personal Emoluments 21,974 18,744

Travelling Expenses 310 336

Supplies 2,045 927

Maintenance Expenses 1,028 1,260

Services 8,502 6,635

Training Programme and Other 1,088 1,716

Total 34,947 29,618

170

Action Plan -2012

Activity Sub Activity Description Budget

1.Project Initiation

1.1 Recruitment and Procurement

1.1.1 Paper Advertisements and other relevant expenditure for recruitment and procurement

110,000

1.3 Transport Allocation 1.3.1 Vehicle Hiring 1,200,000

1.3.2 Fuel Expenditure 550,000

1.3.3 Maintenance of vehicles 300,000

1.4 Project Staff emoluments allocation

1.4.1 Salaries and Allowances 3,474,000

1.4.2 OT/ Subsistence 900,000

1.5 Liaise with relevant project stake holders

1.5.1 Awareness programs and meetings

60,000

1.6 Site Selection/ Providing infrastructure facilities for the research team

1.6.1 Renting of Site Office 420,000

1.6.2 Utilities (Electricity, Water, Communication, Gas etc…)

100,000

2. Field Investigations

2.1 Study of Aerial Photographs

2.1.1 Purchasing of Aerial Photographs

50,000

2.2 Base map preparation

2.2.1 Purchasing of Printed and/or Digital Landuse, Topography, and Geology maps

250,000

2.3 Field Works 2.3.1 Maintenance and purchasing of field research equipment

140,000

2.4 Sample Collections (Manual / Drilling)

2.4.1 Manual Sample Collection 6,000

2.4.2 Subsurface sample collection using power auger drilling machine

290,000

2.4.3 Maintenance of Power Auger Drilling machine/Accessories

150,000

2.5 Sample Logging 2.5.1 preparation of Sample boxes and logging augered samples

50,000

171

3. laboratory Investigations

3.1 Preparation of Samples

3.1.1 Preparation of Samples 0

3.2 Gemological Analysis

3.2.1 Gemological Analysis 50,000

3.3 Chemical Analysis 3.3.1 Chemical Analysis 80,000

4. GIS and RS Works

4.1 Study of Aerial Photographs

4.1.1 Study of Aerial Photographs

0

4.2 Data Digitizing 4.2.1 Data Digitizing 0

4.3 Analysis of Satellite Images

4.3.1 Purchasing of Satellite Images

300,000

4.3.2 Satellite Image Classification and Analysis

0

4.4 Data Plotting 4.4.1 Data Plotting 0

5. Data Verification

5.1 Additional Sample Analysis

5.1.1 Additional Sampling/Analysis

170,000

5.2 Ground follow-up 5.2.1 Ground follow-up for verification

40,000

6. Project Completion

6.1 Layout/ Sheet description preparation

6.1.1 Layout/ Sheet description preparation

30,000

6.2 Report Preparation/ Layout Printing

6.2.1 Report Preparation/ Layout Printing

90,000

6.3 Data Evaluation 6.3.1 Data Evaluation 40,000

6.4 Report/Map Printing 6.4.1 Report/Map Printing 25,000

Miscellanies Expenditure

125,000

172

Appendix

Environment and Natural Resource Statistics

Table 1 : Population and Population Density

Table 2: Land: Man Ratio

Source: Department of Census and Statistics

Year Population

‘000

Population Density

percentage/ km2

1871 2,400 37

1881 2,760 43

1891 3008 47

1901 3,566 55

1911 4,106 63

1921 4,498 70

1931 5,307 82

1946 6,657 103

1953 8,098 125

1963 10,582 165

1971 12,690 196

1981 14,846 230

1991 17,259 300

2001 18,797 304

2002 19,007 305

2003 19,173 306

2004 19,435 310

2005 19,644 314

2006 19,858 317

2007 20,010 319

2008 20,217 322

2009 20,450 326

2010 20,653 329

Year Land : Man Ratio

1981 0.44

1991 0.38

2001 0.33

2011 0.29

2031 0.26

2041 0.24

173

Table 3: Agricultural Land Area

Source: Department of Census and Statistics

Table 4: Major Plantation Areas (ha)

Plantations Year

Teak Mahogany Eucalyptus & Acasia (dry zone

Pines/ Bamboo

Teak/ Khaya

Other Species

Total

2000 31,700 3,700 28,275 16,440 12,225 92,340

2001 31,700 3,700 28,275 16,440 12,885 93,000

2002 31,700 3,700 28,275 16,440 12,885 93,000

2003 31,700 3,700 28,275 16,440 12,885 93,000

2004 31,700 3,700 28,275 16,440 12,885 93,000

2005 31,972 5,255 28,506 15,923 463 12,918 95,036

2006 31,972 5,255 28,506 15,923 463 12,918 95,036

2008 31,972 5,255 28,506 15,923 463 12,918 95,036

2009 30,436 5002 19,280 15,776 463 6287 95,037

2010 30,436 5,002 19,280 15,776 6,287 95,037

Source: Department of Forests

Note: Data - year 2010 are provisional

Type of Land use 1982

2002

Area (ha) Percentage Area (ha) Percentage

Permanent crops 794,533 40 914,983 49

Aswedudumized paddy 556,982 28 497,052 27

Temporary crops 195,049 10 147,452 8

Forest lands 54,130 3 130,360 7

Lands under roads, Buildings etc 75,414 4 78,266 4

Lands not classified elsewhere 165,238 8 61,470 3

Cultivable but not cultivated elsewhere

91,648 5

Lands not suitable for cultivation 40,805 2 29,910 2

Total 1,973,799 100 1,859,493 100

174

Table 5: Number of Elephant Deaths

Year Male Female Juvenile Unknown Total

2000 106 29 - 15 150

2001 100 43 - 19 162

2002 78 23 2 15 118

2003 79 23 - 6 108

2004 110 37 2 24 173

2005 85 31 7 123

2006 102 50 11 163

2007 128 43 7 11 189

2008 156 52 0 16 224

2009 139 48 0 41 228

2010 151 48 9 19 227

Total 1234 427 20 184 1865 Source: Department of Wild Life Conservation

Table 6: Human Deaths Incurred by wild Elephants Year Male Female Children Total

1992 18 3 1 22

1993 44 11 5 60

1994 38 10 7 55

1995 39 6 12 57

1996 37 6 4 47

1997 41 6 7 54

1998 38 10 5 53

1999 62 10 9 81

2000 52 3 8 63

2001 31 5 8 44

2002 29 3 2 34

2003 53 4 2 59

2004 39 9 1 49

2005 57 17 1 75

2006 55 5 3 63

2007 42 4 4 50

Total 675 112 79 866 Source: Department of Wild Life Conservation

Table 7: Number of Elephant Deaths in Sri Lanka- regional Information Year North Western Mahaweli Southern East Central Yala/ Bundala Total

2005 47 41 13 13 1 8 123

2006 67 51 16 16 4 9 163

2007 73 57 27 21 3 8 189

2008 92 65 30 23 4 10 224

2009 66 72 30 41 3 16 228

2010 66 74 35 42 2 8 227

Total 411 360 151 156 17 59 1154 Source: Department of Wild Life Conservation

175

Table 8 : Affected people for Natural Disasters

Year Flood Drought Landslide Rains Lightning Cyclones Tsunami

2000 262,166 50,432 13 13

2001 61,655 1,925,504 25 25 775,170

2002 196,381 84,082 30 220 30

2003 823,904 39,079 18 40 18

2004 218,575 1828500 37 280 37 1,076,240

2005 333,269 16808 58 30920 58

2006 362,277 22630 157 140 157

2007 357,379 15627 NA NA NA

2008 430,717 NA NA NA NA

Source: www.disinventar.lk

Table 9: Extent of Protected Areas

National Designation No Management

Authority Extent (ha)

Percentage of Total Land

Area

National Heritage and Wilderness Area

1 FD 11,187 0.17

Conservation forests 55* FD 76,822 1.17

Forest Reserves 360 FD 575,228 8.77

Other State Forests NA FD 516,990 7.88

Sub Total 415 FD 1,180,227 17.99

Strict Natural Reserves 3 DWLC 31,574 0.48

National Parks 21* DWLC 535,393 8.16

Nature Reserves 5 DWLC 57,058 0.87

Sanctuaries 62 DWLC 264,101 4

Source: FD, 2008, Forest Department Manual Sri Lanka MOE, 2010, Sector Vulnerability, Profile

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Information from FD & DWLC *provisional

176

Table 10: Depletion of Natural Forests

Year Area (ha) Percentage of total land Area

Percentage of forest Area

Change

Percentage of Average Annual

Depletion 1956 2,898,842 44.02

1983 2,458,250 37.50 15.19 0.56

1992 2046,299 30.89 16.74 1.86

1999 1,942,219 31.00 5.10 0.72

2010* 1,883,310 28.70 3.03 0.27

Source: Department of Forest * provisional

Table 11: Extent of Natural Forest by forest types

Forest type 2010* 1999 1992

Area (ha) Percentage Area (ha) Percentage Area (ha) Percentage Close canopy forests

Montanne 44,787 0.68 3099.50 0.04 3,108 0.05

Sub Montanne 28,990 0.44 65,792.30 1.00 68,,616 1.04

Lawland 123,889 1.89 124,341 1.89 141,506 2.14

Moist Monsoon

117,736 1.80 221,977 3.38 243,886 3.69

Dry Monsoon 1,121,589 17.11 1,027,544 15.68 1,090,981 16.49

Riverine 2,425 0.04 18,352 0.28 22,435 0.34

Mangrove 16,037 0.24 9530.50 0.10 8,688 0.13

Sub total 1,455,453 22.20 1,470,636 22.33 1,579,220 23.88

Open canopy

Sparse 427,857 6.53 471,583 7.20 464,076 7.01

Total 1,883,310 28.74 1,942,219 31.00 2,043,296 30.89 Source: Department of Forest * provisional

177

Table 12: Number of Threaten Species - Fauna

Source: Red List of threaten Fauna and Flora of Sri Lanka, 2007

Table 13: Number of Threatened Species- Flora Species Number

Total No of Woody Species 1099

Total endemic Species 533

Total Threatened Species 675

Total endemic Threatened species 412

Percentage of threatened species 61

Source: The Red list of threatened Fauna & Flora of Sri Lanka- 2007

Taxon Total

species

No of Endemic

spp Extinct Critical

Endangered

Vulnerable

total threatened

Total Threatened Endemic

spp

Percentage of

threatened species

Butterflies 243 20 21 29 16 66 13 27

Dragonflies 120 57 13 5 2 20 20 17

Freshwater Crabs

51 51 23 8 6 37 37 72

Theraphosid spiders

7 5 1 1 1 14

Land Snails 246 204 16 12 5 33 32 13

Mammals 91 16 9 20 12 41 14 45

Birds 482 33 10 15 21 46 46 9

Reptiles 171 101 16 23 17 56 37 33

Amphibians 106 90 21 12 34 6 52 51 49

Total 1262 559 21 121 146 86 352 299 28

178

Table 14: Extraction of Minerals

M Tons

Year Kaolin Ball Clay Feldspar Vein

Quartz Silica Sand

Calcite Limestone Inland Coral

Sea shells Dolomite

2002 8,613 28,431 28,866 7,857 11,776 4,602 848,093 1,550 64,584 38,775

2003 9,073 33,405 32,586 18,139 32,312 5,510 990,725 1,730 82,950 41,357

2004 16,233 30,699 38,600 20,916 32,849 4830 993,521 1,124 88,434 43,520

2005 9,914 38,873 45,492 24,286 37,778 4344 971,146 1,943 137,187 41,811

2006 10,914 61,966 56,864 25,537 46,070 5161 1,094,919 1,162 180,225 42,159

2007 11,178 43,004 40,583 35,066 69,548 10,069 1,094,918 10,418 191,000 40,128

2008 10,039 52,966 55,212 37,196 61,291 6307 1,091,227 1231 162000 41,947

2009 9,538 545,873 73,365 30,409 59,767 13,097 1,144,566 900 273,673 39,347

Source: Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

179

Table 15: Total Vehicle Population (2002-2010)

Source: Department of Motor Traffic

Year Motor Cars

Motor Tricycle

Motor Cycles

Buses Dual Purpose Vehicles

Lorries Land Vehicles- Tractors

Land vehicles- Trailers

Total

2002 12,003 20,876 54,762 1,429 8,591 8,166 7,078 446 113,351

2003 21,184 36,204 86,877 1,949 13,268 11,158 10,004 858 181,502

2004 19,116 43,789 124,474 2,167 10,736 10,703 11,535 1,322 223,842

2005 17,283 41,085 130,696 2,069 6,851 14,262 15,597 1,826 229,669

2006 22,603 43,068 182,508 2,637 5,193 18,408 21,346 2,129 297,892

2007 20,237 44,804 155,952 1,180 2,856 14,038 24,357 1,775 265,199

2008 5,762 37,364 135,421 739 1,280 8,225 13,951 1,333 204,075

2009 23,072 85,648 204,811 2,491 11,712 11,845 17,363 2,301 359,243

2010 12,003 20,876 54,762 1,429 8,591 8,166 7,078 446 113,351

Total 153,263 373,714 1,130,263 16,090 69,078 104,971 128,309 12,436 1,988,124

180

Table 16: New Registration of Motor vehicles (2002- 2010)

year Motor Cars

Motor Tricycles

Motor cycles

Buses Dual

Purpose Vehicles

Lorries Land

vehicles- Tractors

Land Vehicles- Trailors

Total

2002 253,447 133,115 923,467 67,702 150,087 187,617 143,804 33,128 1,892,367

2003 274,631 169,319 1,010,344 69,651 163,355 198,775 153,808 33,986 2,073,869

2004 293,747 213,108 1,134,818 71,818 174,091 209,478 165,343 35,308 2,297,711

2005 311,030 254,193 1,265,514 73,887 180,942 223,740 180,940 37,184 2,527,430

2006 338,608 318,659 1,422,140 77,233 188,187 244,176 199,980 38,919 2,827,902

2007 361,211 361,727 1,604,648 79,870 193,380 262,584 221,326 41,048 3,125,794

2008 381,448 406,531 1,760,600 81,050 196,236 276,622 245,683 42,823 3,390,993

2009 387,210 443,895 1,896,021 81,789 1,975,156 284,847 259,634 44,156 5,372,708

2010 410,282 529,543 2,100,832 84,280 209,228 296,692 276,997 46,457 3,954,311

Total 3,011,614 2,830,090 13,118,384 605,491 3,430,662 2,184,531 1,847,515 353,009 27,381,296

Source: Department of Motor Traffic

181

Table 17: Timber Production (2002-2010)

Item 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Logs ( m3 ) 112,181 99,488 88,028 113,373 110,017 120,509 94409 91,416 137,296

Ebony logs ( m3 ) 19 0.8 1 67 20 0.4 21

Sawn Timber ( m3 ) 19 4,415 3,255 4,047 5,132 4918 5,887 5,385 5519

Railway sleepers (Nos) 168,321 100,472 108,648 106,135 72,486 95,273 134,095 163,484 133,822

Electrical transmission / telegraph poles (Nos)

13,115 36,554 35,532 228,918 197,186 66,502 52,552 77,656 19,472

Firewood ( m3 ) 96,439 103,882 82,738 90,483 91,694 85,412 84,661 75,986 118,544

Source: State Timber Cooperation

182

MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (MEAs) MEA Date of

Ratification Date of Entry into Enforce

Description Objectives

1.The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

15.12.1989 15.12.1989 Due to the issues of Ozone depletion, The Vienna Convention started in 1985 for protection of the ozone layer. Emission of certain substances can significantly deplete and modify the ozone layer and it adversely affect human health and Environment.

1.Intergovermental cooperation on research 2.Systermatic observation of Ozone layer 3.Monitoring CFC production 4.Exchange information

2.Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone layer

15.12.1989 15.12.1989 Substances that deplete the Ozone layer is a landmark international agreement designed to protect the atmospheric Ozone layer. Ozone depleting substances, that lead to increased level of UV radiation reaching the earth`s surface, which affected to skin, eye and immune system.

Reduction and the eventual elimination of the consumption and production of anthropogenic Ozone depleting substance.

3.United Nations Framework Convention on climate change(UNFCCC)

23.11.1993 21.03.1994 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was formed in 1992 in response to growing political concerns that human activities were substantially increasing the concentrations of the greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere and that immediate reductions in GHG emissions were needed to avert global warming.

Stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with climatic system

4.Kyoto Protocol 03.09.2002 16.02.2005 The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits developed countries (annex 1) to reduce their collective emission of GHG by at least 5% of the 1990 level by the period of 2008-2012.

The annex 1 parties (Developing Countries) to reduce their collective emission of greenhouse gases by at least 5 percent of the 1990 level by the period of 2008-2012

5. United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

23.03.1994 23.03.1994 The convention on Biological Diversity was adopted at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The convention has three main goals.(1)convention of biological diversity,(2)sustainable use of its component,(3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

The conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies and appropriate funds

183

6. Cartagena Protocol on Bio safety

28.04.2004 28.07.2004 The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention

on Biological Diversity is an international treaty

governing the movements of living modified organisms

(LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology from one

country to another. It was adopted on 29 January 2000

as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on

Biological Diversity.

To contribute to ensuring adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms, resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specially focusing on transboundary movement

7. United Nations convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD)

09.12.1998 09.03.1999 Desertification is phenomena that causes major economic, social, and environmental problem in all region of the world. In 1977, the United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) adopted a Plan of Action to Combat Desertification (PACD).

To combat desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing series droughts and/or decertification with the final aim being to prevent land degradation in the hyper arid, and semi arid, dry sub humid areas in the countries that are parties of that are parties of the convention.

8. Basel Convention on the control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal

28.08.1992

28.11.1992

The Basel Convention on the Control of Tran boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is the most comprehensive global environmental agreement on hazardous and other wastes. The Convention has 172 Parties and aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes. The Basel Convention came into force in 1992.

(1)To reduce transboundary movements of hazardous waste and other waste subject to the Basel convention to minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management. (2)To ensure strict control over the movement of hazardous waste across the boarders as well as the prevention of illegal traffic. (3)To dispose of the hazardous waste and other waste generated, as close as possible to their source of generation. (4)To minimize the generation of hazardous waste in terms of quality and hazardousness. (5)To prohibit shipments of hazardous waste to countries lacking the legal, administrative and technical capacity to manage and dispose of them in an environmentally sound manner

184

9. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

22.12.2005 22.12.2005 The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have adverse effects to human health or to the environment. Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can lead serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, and dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and even diminished intelligence.

To protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants.

10.International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil pollution

12.04.1983 11.07.1983 The convention affirm the right of a coastal state to take measures on the high seas as may be necessary to prevent, mitigate or eliminate danger to its coastline or related interest from pollution by oil or the threat there of, following upon a maritime casualty.

To enable countries to take action on the high seas in case of a maritime casualty resulting in danger of sea and coastlines, to establish that such action would not affect the principle of freedom of the high seas.

11 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution damages.

12.04.1983 11.07.1983 The civil liability convention was adopted to ensure that adequate compensation is available to persons who suffer oil pollution damage resulting from maritime casualties involving oil carrying ships. Liability for such damage on the owner of the ship from which the polluting oil escapes or discharged.

To ensure that adequate compensation is available to persons who suffer damage caused by pollution resulting from the escape or discharge of oil from ships.

12 International convention on the establishment of international funds for compensation for oil pollution damage.

12.04.1983 11.07.1987 The international oil pollution compensation funds are tree intergovernmental organizations (1971 fund,1992 fund, supplementary fund).Which provide compensation for oil pollution damage resulting from spills of resistant oil(crude oil/heavy fuel oil)l tankers.