Rs. 20 million fine, imprisonment for hazardous waste offences: PM

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has passed the National Environmental Amendment Act, according to the Daily Mirror. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the measure strengthens penalties for disposing of hazardous waste in ways that pollute the environment.

Amarasuriya said offenders could face fines of up to Rs. 20 million and imprisonment. The reports do not provide further details about how the penalties would be applied or when the law takes effect.

Speaking at the 36th anniversary celebration of Jathika Namal Uyana, the prime minister also described penalties for destroying protected wetlands. Newswire reported that fines would range from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 10 million.

Newswire said Amarasuriya presented the measures as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen environmental protection. The reports provide no additional information about implementation or enforcement.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.