The environment ministry has targeted to phase out Ozone depleting HCFC by 2030, according to the Hydro Chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase out Management Plan.
The plan will be implemented in 2013 in harmony with the Montreal Protocol in which Sri Lanka is a member country.
Ground water extracted from tube wells in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC)area is polluted and not fit for drinking or cooking purposes, CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam told the Daily News yesterday.
He said all hotel, restaurant, motel, lodging house and food service establishment operators are advised not to use the water supplied from tube wells for water requirements.
Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Charitha Herath urged from the public to be careful in disposing Vesak decorations and lanterns made of polythene and plastic without harming the environment and drainage system of the country.
He told the Daily News yesterday that a large quantity of polythene is annually collected in urban cities specially in Colombo after the Vesak celebrations.
An erudite committee was appointed to look into health and environmental hazards of the use of asbestos, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Dr Charitha Herath told the Daily News.
He said that this committee was appointed considering the world trends to abandon the use of asbestos due to their reported negative impacts.
He said that prompt action would be taken to control the use
The use of backhoe machines in gem mining has been banned with immediate effect, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr R H S Samaratunga told the Daily News yesterday.
He said that this decision was taken considering the damage caused to the environment.
Samaratunga said directions in this regard were given to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA).
