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| Central Environmental Authority Chairman Professor Tilak Hewawasam | Central Environmental Authority Director General Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha |
By - Sriyanjani Lokuliyana, Media Officer - Central Environmental Authority
(Based on a discussion with the Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority, Professor Tilak Hewawasam, and Director General Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha)
It has now become widely recognized that the entire world is facing a series of extremely severe environmental challenges. Among these, the issues most frequently discussed are the so-called “Triple Planetary Crisis”: climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss. Upon reflection, we may realize that almost every environmental problem we know of falls within these three categories.
However, isn’t the global community now striving with numerous conventions, laws, treaties, and agreements to save our living planet, the Earth, from a great catastrophe? The reason the whole world joins hands to act on environmental problems is that their consequences know no borders.
Therefore, shouldn’t we remember that even the smallest human actions throwing away a toffee wrapper, a plastic bottle, burning household waste, using disposable shopping bags without thought, or discarding lunch sheets after use can harm the entire planet? We are well aware that such actions, among many others, are not environmentally friendly. Yet, in practice, we continue to engage in them, citing convenience, habit, profit, or other justifications.
At a time when we can clearly see and hear of such disasters, it is now imperative that we consciously put an end to these harmful practices and adopt environmentally friendly behaviour in all our actions. Otherwise, it is with regret that we must admit that our world and that of our future generations will soon face a deeply unfortunate environmental fate.
When examining Sri Lankan history, it becomes clear that in the effort to protect the environment, various institutions government, private, and non-governmental as well as different organizations, groups, and individuals have played vital roles.
Following the establishment of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) on August 12, 1981, under the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, the Authority has made a remarkable contribution throughout its history toward safeguarding Sri Lanka’s environment. Guided by its vision, “A Clean and Green Environment through Service Excellency,” the CEA has functioned for more than four decades as the country’s primary environmental regulatory body.
Its mission is defined as: “To be the leader in conserving and managing environmental quality through proper coordination, promotion, public participation, enforcement of laws, appropriate technological interventions, and environmental education and awareness.”
At present, efforts are underway to amend the National Environmental Act to strengthen the legal framework necessary for ensuring Sri Lanka’s continued environmental protection in line with contemporary needs. Moreover, the CEA actively engages in adopting and implementing policies, conventions, and special agreements at both national and international levels, continuously taking steps to ensure environmental sustainability.
In addition to aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the CEA not only provides direction for environmentally friendly development activities but also conducts various specialized programs to involve all stakeholders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and the general public, in building a collective commitment toward a greener future.
Objective
In this context, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), which functions across multiple dimensions in safeguarding the environment, implements the “Presidential Environmental Awards” as a community-centred program. The primary aim of this initiative is to recognize and honour industries, projects, and institutions that demonstrate outstanding commitment to environmental protection through effective and responsible environmental management.
The broader goals of the program include: Promoting a culture of environmentally friendly industries, projects, and services, encouraging society to engage in eco-friendly practices, and building public participation toward sustainable development. With these aspirations, the CEA dedicates great effort to implementing the Presidential Environmental Awards program.
The “Presidential Environmental Awards - 2025” will be conducted in collaboration with the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, which operates under the vision “Beautiful Island, Smiling People” The mission of the “Clean Sri Lanka” program is to reposition the nationwide efforts of environmental, social, and governance initiatives through introducing change, integration, and collaboration.
History of the Presidential Environment Awards
This awards program was first launched in 2011 under the name “National Green Awards.” Since 2016, it has been conducted under its current title, “Presidential Environment Awards.”
The “National Green Awards Festival” was initially introduced with the purpose of encouraging industries and service providers to operate under exemplary conditions that minimize pollution and promote environmental protection, while recognizing those committed to creating a clean, green environment.
Over the years, the awards program has undergone several noteworthy transformations, evolving into a prestigious national event that honours contributions to environmental conservation. Today, it stands as a source of great pride and motivation for Sri Lankan industrialists, state and non-state institutions, schools, media professionals, and various other community groups dedicated to protecting the environment.
Competition Categories
Applicants for the Presidential Environmental Awards may compete under three main categories: “Industry Sector”, “Project Sector”, and “Institutional, Mass Media, and Social Sector”.
“Industry Sector” is divided into two subcategories: “Large-scale industries” and “Small and medium-scale industries”. Each of these subcategories includes 16 competition categories, as follows:
• Common Waste Treatment & Management Facilities/ Waste Recovery/ Recycling/ Disposal or Processing Plants
• Chemical Industries
• Vehicle Servicing Centers
• Food & Beverages Industries
• Hotels
• Textile Processing Industries
• Pharmaceutical Products and Personal Care Products Industries
• Hospitals
• Rubber Based Products Industries
• Animal Farms
• Apparel Industries
• Tea Processing industries or Tea Factories
• Packaging Industries with Printing
• Mineral related manufacturing industries
• Timber and Wood Related manufacturing Industry
• Metal nonferrous/ Machinery/ Electronic / Electrical goods and equipment related manufacturing or assembling industries
“Project Sector” consists of one subcategory with three types of projects, the subcategory “Renewable Energy Generation Projects is divided as “Small-scale hydropower projects”, “Solar power projects”, and “Wind power generation projects”.
Seven Sub Sectors will be evaluated under “Institutional, Mass Media and Social Sector”.
Evaluation Process
Industry Sector
If an industry operates without proper environmental regulation, it is likely depending on its nature to release various pollutants into the environment. Acting under the provisions of the National Environmental Act, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) carries out the vital responsibility of environmental protection and management, aiming to minimize pollution generated by industries.
According to Gazette Extraordinary No. 2264/18, dated 27 January 2022, the CEA issues Environmental Protection Licenses (EPLs) for industrial regulation. This Gazette specifies the types of industries that require such licenses. These identified industries are classified into 16 categories, which also serve as the industrial competition categories within the Presidential Environmental Awards program.
The Industry Sector is further divided into two subcategories “Large-scale industries” and “Small and medium-scale industries” ensuring that participants can compete fairly based on the capacity and scale of their operations. The industrial sector is recognized as the
premier category of the Presidential Environmental Awards.
The evaluation process for the industry sector competition consists of three stages as initial, field and final. In the initial assessment the judging panel first reviews all submitted applications according to a defined set of criteria. Marks are awarded based on the information provided, and industries that score sufficiently are shortlisted for field inspections. Seconder assessment is field inspection. In that stage the shortlisted industries are then visited by the evaluation team to verify whether the practices mentioned in the application are effectively implemented in real operations. Additional marks are awarded based on on-site findings. In final evaluation all marks from the previous stages are reviewed and analysed to determine the final results. Throughout all three stages, the process is conducted under the complete supervision and recommendations of the judging panel.
Possessing a valid Environmental Protection License (EPL) is a fundamental requirement for participating in the industry sector competition. Industries holding such a license must operate in full compliance with the conditions, standards, and criteria specified in the EPL.
However, to earn a Presidential Environment Award, industries must go beyond merely meeting these minimum regulatory requirements. It is essential that the industry demonstrates environmental management practices that exceed the basic standards actively implementing measures that contribute meaningfully and innovatively to environmental protection.
For Example: when discharging wastewater from an industry, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) a parameter used to measure water quality must be less than 30 milligrams per liter (mg/L) if the water is to be released into a watercourse capable of diluting it eightfold. This is a mandatory requirement for obtaining an Environmental Protection License (EPL).
However, if an industry goes beyond this requirement by introducing advanced technological measures to further reduce its BOD levels, thereby improving the purity of its wastewater to the extent that it can even be reused, such an industry is considered to have exceeded the EPL’s basic compliance criteria.
Accordingly, in the Presidential Environment Awards competition, such an industry earns higher marks than one that only meets the standard requirements. The higher score is awarded in recognition of the greater contribution made toward environmental protection.
Other factors that can earn additional points include: Measures taken to protect employee health and safety, proper documentation (in both digital and physical form) of environmental management activities, adaptation initiatives for climate or weather-related challenges, steps taken to ensure sustainable resource consumption, implementation of tree-planting, waste management, and sanitation programs, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives such as community rehabilitation or welfare programs.
All these efforts demonstrate a higher level of environmental stewardship and are thus recognized with more points during evaluation.
Project Sector
Under the Project Sector, applicants for Renewable Energy Generation Projects (such as “Small-scale hydropower projects”, “Solar power projects”, and “Wind power generation projects”) must meet a basic eligibility criterion the project must be implemented with an environmental approval or recommendation from the relevant authority.
Key factors considered in evaluation include: compliance with the conditions outlined in the environmental approval or recommendation, the benefits the project provides to the local area and the country, efforts made to raise environmental awareness, effective waste management practices, reduction of the project’s carbon footprint, and implementation of community participation or outreach programs related to environmental conservation.
Projects that demonstrate such holistic and responsible practices balancing energy generation with environmental and social benefits stand a greater chance of winning in this competition category.
Institutional, Mass Media and Social Sector
Under the “Institutional, Mass Media and Social Sector”, there are seven subcategories evaluated for the Presidential Environment Awards. The evaluation in each subcategory focuses on how well the institution fulfills its primary mission while also contributing beyond that scope to environmental protection and sustainability.
Only schools that actively implement either the “Environmental Pioneer Program” or the “Eco Club Program for Primary Students” eligible to compete under the schools’ category of the Presidential Environment Awards.
During evaluation, the following aspects are considered: the progress achieved through the environmental program, achievements in environmental activities, participation in national or international environmental events and commemorations, measures adopted for sustainable management of resources such as electricity and water, waste management systems, health and safety initiatives, and other environmental conservation activities undertaken by the school.
That do not operate under an Environmental Protection License (EPL) are evaluated under “Environmentally Friendly Government Institutions” and “Environmentally Friendly Private Institutions” categories. The assessment focuses on their commitment to environmental conservation in the course of their regular operations as well as any extra efforts made to minimize environmental impacts.
NGOs engaged in environmental conservation activities are evaluated based on the effectiveness, scope, and sustainability of their programs and their contribution to community environmental awareness under the “Non-Governmental Environmental Organizations (NGOs)”.
In “Environmentally Friendly Innovations category”, originality is crucial the creation must be the individual’s own work, not a copy or modification of an existing idea. The evaluation considers: whether the innovation holds a patent, its commercial value, its practical applicability, and other relevant technical or social benefits that support environmental protection.
Eligible applicants include schools, universities, tertiary education institutions, and individuals from the open category.
Mass Media Sector is divided into two categories: “Individual competitors” and “Newspapers, radio, and television channels”.
In both cases, evaluation focuses on how effectively and creatively the environmental message is communicated through the chosen medium. For eligibility: in the print media, the work must have been published in a recognized newspaper; in the electronic media, the creation must have been broadcast by a recognized television or radio channel. Only works directly related to environmental protection are accepted.
Social Media Sector introduced for the first time this year, this sector consists of two categories: “Facebook Pages” and “YouTube Channels”.
Entries must consist of original content created and uploaded specifically to promote environmental conservation. Only the content creators themselves are eligible to apply, and the posted creations will be evaluated for their effectiveness, creativity, and impact in spreading environmental awareness.
Awards Ceremony and Evaluation Process
The evaluation process of the Presidential Environment Awards is conducted by a panel of judges comprising experts relevant to each category. The decisions of the judging panel are final.
During the awards ceremony, participants are given the opportunity to win honours such as the Presidential Environment Gold Award, Silver Environmental Award, Bronze Environment Award, and the Merit Environment Award.
For this year’s ceremony, a total of 132 awards will be presented, including: 17 Gold Awards, 29 Silver Awards, 38 Bronze Awards, 47 Merit Awards, and 1 Special Jury Award.
All trophies presented at the Presidential Environment Awards Ceremony are environmentally friendly, designed and crafted using recycled aluminium tins, symbolizing sustainable production and environmental responsibility.
The 2025 Presidential Environment Awards Ceremony, organized with the aim of promoting environmental conservation in Sri Lanka, held under the patronage of His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Distinguished guests include: Minister of Environment - Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship -Sunil Handunnetti, State Minister of Environment - Anton Jayakody, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment - Mr. K. R. Uduwawala, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) - Prof. Tilak Hewawasam, Director General of the CEA - Mr. Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha and other senior officials, dignitaries, and award recipients. The event was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on October 23, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) is Sri Lanka’s primary national regulatory institution responsible for environmental protection and management, operating under the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, as amended by Acts No. 56 of 1988 and No. 53 of 2000.
Committed to balancing environmental conservation and sustainable development, the CEA plays a vital role in guiding the nation’s development processes in an environmentally responsible manner. The Presidential Environment Awards Programme is one of the CEA’s flagship initiatives, highlighting its continuous dedication to promoting environmental excellence across all sectors.
Beyond its legal and regulatory functions, the CEA also strives to create attitudinal and behavioural changes among the public recognizing that true environmental protection cannot be achieved solely through laws, policies, and institutions.
Protecting the environment is a shared national responsibility, requiring the active participation of every citizen. Therefore, the Central Environmental Authority warmly invites all individuals and institutions to join hands in this mission to preserve our planet for future generations.
