• Fines of up to Rs 20m for hazardous waste offences

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya said the Government is introducing tougher penalties for environmental destruction, including fines of up to Rs 20 million and imprisonment for those who dispose of hazardous waste in ways that damage the environment.

She also said fines ranging from Rs 1 million to Rs 10 million would be imposed on those who destroy protected wetlands.

The Premier made these remarks while addressing the 36th anniversary celebrations of Jathika Namal Uyana, South Asia’s largest rose quartz mountain range and largest 'Na' tree forest.

Dr Amarasuriya said the Government viewed children’s education and character development as the country’s most important investment, adding that its education reforms aimed to produce well-rounded children who cared for the environment rather than focusing solely on examinations. “The real investment of any country is not in the buildings it constructs. It is in the education of its children and the development of their character.” 

She also said the Government had taken practical steps to strengthen environmental protection, including passing the National Environmental Amendment Act in Parliament after 25 yeaRs The amendments would strengthen environmental impact assessments for development projects, she added.

“We have not limited environmental protection to words. We have taken several practical decisions. After 25 years, we were able to pass the National Environmental Amendment Act in Parliament. Through it, we have strengthened environmental impact assessments for development projects,” she said.