The manufacture and sale of single-use plastic products will be banned in Sri Lanka with effect from October 01, 2023, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) says.

Thereby, manufacture and sale of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cups, plates, knives, forks and spoons, as well as plastic string hopper trays and garlands products will be prohibited in the country.

In February this year, the Cabinet of Ministers green-lighted a proposal, tabled by the Environmental Minister, to ban several plastic products in the country.

Accordingly, the production, importation, selling and use of the following items will not be allowed in Sri Lanka effective from June 01, 2023.

On August 30, 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers took into account a proposal seeking permission to prohibit seven single-use plastic polythene and plastic products in the country. Subsequently, a committee of experts was appointed to look into the matter and to submit a report containing necessary recommendations.