News

USAID commences 5-yr. ocean plastics reduction project in SL & Maldives

Published

1 year ago

December 22, 2022

editor

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announces the official launch of a planned 5-year project in Sri Lanka and Maldives to reduce environmental plastics by decreasing industrial use of plastic and improving integrated solid waste management practices in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The project’s consortium, led by Research Triangle International (RTI) works alongside local partners to target system inefficiencies and areas of reliance on virgin plastics. The project’s overall goal is to increase participation in solid waste management and reduction programs, preventing thousands of tons of plastic from leaking into the environment.

“USAID is proud to partner with the governments of Sri Lanka and Maldives, the private sector, civil society, and communities to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic products, which threaten the health and environment of the Sri Lankan and Maldivian people” stated Gabe Grau, the USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director. “Combatting plastic pollution will reduce threats to marine ecosystems and livelihoods, food security, and ultimately, human health.”

Ocean plastic pollution threatens the world’s delicate marine ecosystems, the fishing and tourism sectors, food security, and human health. The equivalent of an entire garbage truck of plastic makes its way into the world’s oceans every minute—roughly eleven million tons annually. Stopping plastic pollution at the source is the most effective way to address this challenge. The majority of plastic ocean debris comes from rapidly growing cities along coastal areas in the developing world where governments struggle with growing populations and increasing amounts of waste.

Sri Lanka and Maldives face unique challenges in waste management. In Sri Lanka, the country’s solid waste management systems struggle to keep pace with growing urban populations. Maldives, an archipelago of 1,200 coral islands, has extremely limited amounts of land to store waste, and is overwhelmed by managing both domestic waste and marine debris carried in by ocean currents from other countries.

News

This week’s Cabinet decisions

Published

2 mins ago

May 7, 2024

nipuni

A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (May 06).

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

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News

Cabinet approval for power purchase agreement with Adani Green Energy

Published

2 hours ago

May 7, 2024

nipuni

Cabinet approval has been granted yesterday (May 06) to enter into a power purchase agreement with Adani Green Energy, says Minister of Power – Kanchana Wijesekara.

The 20-year agreement will see to the development of 484 MW of Wind power stations in Mannar and Poonaryn.

Taking to X, the minister further added, ‘the negotiated tariff rate of USD 0.0826 per kWh, is to be paid in LKR on the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment. On the current exchange rate considered as, 1 USD = Rs 300, the cost of energy will be Rs 24.78 per kWh. The current average cost of energy in SL is Rs 39.02 per kWh.’

Approval was granted yesterday by the Cabinet of Ministers to enter in to a 20 year power purchase agreement with Adani Green Energy for the development of 484 MW of Wind power stations in Mannar & Poonaryn.

The negotiated tariff rate of USD 0.0826 per kWh, is to be paid in LKR…
— Kanchana Wijesekera (@kanchana_wij) May 7, 2024

News

RDA probes Central Expressway beam collapse mystery

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2024

nipuni

The Road Development Authority has initiated a special investigation into the collapse of a concrete beam in the Kadawatha to Mirigama section of the Central Expressway, which was under construction, and later suspended.

According to the Chairman of the Road Development Authority, the relevant report is anticipated soon.

On Sunday, at around 5:45 PM, a concrete beam collapsed on the Central Expressway between Kadawatha and Mirigama, specifically in the Kadaoluwawa area in Bemmulla.

The collapsed concrete beam measures approximately 35 meters in length.

This incident occurred within a 17 km section of the Central Expressway.

According to the Road Development Authority, there are similar constructions elsewhere on this road.

Two more beams are reportedly in a dangerous condition.

A senior official from the Road Development Authority has informed the project director to provide a report regarding the incident.

The report will consider factors such as construction delays and potential errors in the construction

The Scene Of Crime Officers of the Sri Lanka Police visited the site this afternoon.

An on-site investigation was conducted in response to a complaint suggesting sabotage by a group.

However, specific explanations regarding the cause of the collapse have not been provided by relevant parties.

(News 1st)

(This story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)