Earnest appeal to our local authority leaders

As we mark World Environment Day, it is time we put away all types of differences, and collectively act on the several serious environmental problems we are now faced with. 

Most of these problems can be minimised and addressed at the local Government authority level, the local authority leaders and the community working together. Community also includes industrialists, businesses, hotels, boutiques, garages and other services providers such as schools, hospitals, utility suppliers, etc. If we can identify and arrest the sources of waste generation (solid, liquid or air pollutants) it will not become a major problem in the future. 

Plastics going into the blue ocean starts from a simple drain which flows to the river through canals and then to the ocean. By taking a concerted effort to build and maintain the drainage system and above all not disposing garbage to drains, we can minimise ocean plastic pollution. Simple approaches such as 5S,3R (Reduce, Reuse/Repair, Recycle) and a very proactive approach ‘Cleaner Production’ will help us in minimising waste. Cleaner Production was introduced to Sri Lanka around 1996 and the National Policy for Cleaner Production is in place. 

Let’s get together and participate to avert major environmental disasters by identifying and eliminating waste of valuable resources. We are still not late to ‘think’ and ‘act’ to consume and produce in a sustainable way conserving Earth’s valuable resources and minimising environmental pollution.

Nihal Cooray

Kolonnawa