SACEP opens new regional headquarters in Colombo

Chief Guest Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi

Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala

SACEP Director General Norbu Wangchuk

World Bank Principal Country Officer Victor Navaranjan Antonypillai

The SACEP Regional Headquarters ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with Chief Guest Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, together with SACEP Director General Norbu Wangchuk (left) and Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi – Pix by Ruwan Walpola  

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya with Ambassadors of South Asian countries and other guests  

SACEP Headquarters 

• Sri Lanka leads regional call for greener future
• Paving way for sustainable South Asia

By Amira Cader

In a landmark step for regional environmental collaboration, the South Asia Co-operative Environment Program (SACEP) inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Colombo recently, reaffirming its role as South Asia’s leading intergovernmental platform for collective environmental action.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Chief Guest and Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi alongside diplomats, development partners and representatives from SACEP’s eight member countries. 

In her key note address, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya underscored the urgency of joint regional responses to the growing environmental crises confronting the region. 

“Sri Lanka has always been a strong advocate of the green economy and today marks an important milestone in our shared journey toward a sustainable future,” she said.

 “The escalating degradation of our precious water bodies, ecosystems and soils—driven largely by pollution and plastic waste—poses a grave concern. The plastic crisis in our seas remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time, particularly in a region that is home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population. Our response must be collaborative, unified and rooted in resilience. Through SACEP, we can strengthen cooperation and lead South Asia toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future.” She further added. 

Since its establishment in 1982, SACEP has brought together the nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to address pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, marine litter, waste management and trans boundary pollution.

The project was made possible through the Government of Sri Lanka’s generous allocation of land as the host country and financial assistance from The World Bank under the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project.

The new headquarters marks a major achievement in this journey. The modern facility, located in Colombo 05, spans approximately 1,610 square metres and has been designed in line with LEED gold certification standards, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental innovation. Equipped with solar panels that generate 20% of its total energy needs, the building features inclusive spaces, a 100-seat auditorium, modern office areas and state-of-the-art meeting rooms to facilitate dialogue and regional cooperation.

Highlighting the significance of regional collaboration Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said, “SACEP stands as a remarkable example of how South Asian countries can come together to tackle shared environmental challenges. This new facility will strengthen our ability to generate solutions and promote environmental stewardship across the region.”

World Bank Principal Country Officer Victor Navaranjan Antonypillai emphasised the global urgency of addressing plastic pollution and waste management.

“This new SACEP headquarters shines as a light for generations to come. With over 11 million tonnes of plastic entering our seas and counting, the challenge before us is immense. As we move toward an electric future, we must also ask ourselves—how will we responsibly dispose of the batteries from the electric vehicles? Each of us has a duty to be the change for a greener tomorrow. The World Bank remains committed to supporting these regional efforts and extends its gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for its steadfast partnership,” he said.

SACEP Director General Norbu Wangchuk noted, “This new headquarters is more than just a building—it is a symbol of partnership, purpose and shared responsibility. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Sri Lanka and The World Bank for their unwavering support as we open a new chapter in SACEP’s journey.”

The event concluded with a tour of the facility, showcasing its modern design and sustainable features. As SACEP embarks on this new era from its permanent home in Colombo, it stands as a beacon of regional cooperation dedicated to turning shared vision into on the ground action and protecting South Asia’s natural heritage for generations to come.