Environment Minister – Dr. Dhammika Patabendi has announced that National Environment Week will be observed from May 30 – June 05, in line with World Environment Day on June 05. 

This year’s global theme, “Let’s End Plastic Pollution,” will guide nationwide efforts to promote sustainable environmental practices.

At a media briefing held yesterday (May 28) at the Department of Government Information, the minister outlined the week-long campaign’s key objectives, aligning with the government’s flagship Clean Sri Lanka initiative. 

The program aims to foster a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainable living and each day of the week will highlight a specific environmental challenge:
May 30 – Plastic Waste Management Day
May 31 – Air Pollution Reduction Day
June 1 – Environmental Cleanliness Awareness Day
June 2 – Biodiversity Conservation Day
June 3 – Water Conservation Day
June 4 – Coastal Cleanup Day
June 5 – Tree Plantation & National Environment Day Celebration

The national ceremony will be held on June 05 at Nidahas Mawatha, Kegalle District, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

Dr. Patabendi highlighted alarming statistics regarding plastic pollution: between 2012 and 2018, Sri Lanka imported over 3.3 billion kilograms of plastic, with only 30% being recycled annually. In 2020 alone, the country generated 938 MT of plastic waste per day, of which a staggering 638 tons went uncollected, with over 8.45 tons ending up in natural water sources daily.

The Minister also emphasized the serious health and infrastructural impacts of poor plastic waste management, including rising dengue cases, blocked drainage systems, and frequent urban flooding.

The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday (May 28) posted an outbreak notice about a rise in Covid-19 activity in three of its regions, driven by the new variant NB.1.8.1.

“Since mid-February 2025, according to data available from sentinel sites, global SARS-CoV-2 activity has been increasing, with the test positivity rate reaching 11%, levels that have not been observed since July 2024. This rise is primarily observed in countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions,” the notice has said.

“Continued monitoring is essential. WHO advises all Member States to continue applying a risk-based, integrated approach to managing Covid-19 as outlined in the Director-General’s Standing Recommendations,” it adds.

“WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations.”

“Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions,” the report adds.

Foreign media reports indicate that the new Covid-19 variant is currently spreading rapidly in countries including China and India.

Amid the global threat of a new Covid-19 variant, the Health Ministry has ramped up PCR testing in some hospitals, which are now prepared to detect infections, said Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said hospitals have been instructed to step up monitoring of patients with fever-related symptoms amid the global Covid-19 threat.

He also assured that while Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the resurgence of Covid-19 globally, there is no immediate need for new restrictions.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court, calling for strict legal action against those responsible for the alleged ragging and subsequent suicide of Charith Dilshan, a 23-year-old second-year student at the Faculty of Technology, Sabaragamuwa University.
The petition, filed by BASL President Rajiv Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura Galhena.

The petition names several respondents, including the Vice Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University, the university’s disciplinary committee, the University Grants Commission, the Ministers of Education and Justice, the Inspector General of Police, the Ministers of Public Security and Defence, and the Attorney General.

According to the petitioners, Charith Dilshan was subjected to prolonged and degrading ragging by senior students, leading to severe psychological trauma.

The incident reportedly occurred on April 26, 2025.

The BASL argues that the failure of university authorities, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies to enforce anti-ragging laws and protect students directly contributed to the tragedy.

The petition cites violations of fundamental rights under Articles 11 and 12(1) of the Constitution, which guarantee protection from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and the right to equality before the law.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)