National Environment Week 2025 kicks off

SRI Lanka has launched a major new campaign to tackle plastic pollution, declaring a National Environment Week under the theme “Let’s End Pollution Caused by Plastic”.

- BY TANIA DE SILVA

The move is part of a global push for World Environment Day 2025, which focuses on “Ending Plastic Pollution”. The aim is to bring together local communities, schools, Government bodies and decision-makers to take action on the growing problem of plastic waste and protect the country’s natural environment.

Details of the week’s activities were briefed by the Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Environment Secretary Kamal Rohitha Uduwawala and the Director of Environmental Promotion Anton Jayathilake among other officials.

Environment Secretary Kamal Rohitha Uduwawala stressed the urgency of addressing single-use plastics, calling them “the most harmful” component of today’s plastic crisis. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s movement toward producer responsibility, explaining: "The concept of responsibility must fall on the producer and waste manager. We are introducing systems like the deposit refund system for PET bottles with QR codes and are planning to publish a book on plastic pollution to distribute in schools. We aim to establish environmental centres in communities under the “Clean Sri Lanka” environmental pillar."

To build momentum throughout the week, each day from 30 May to 5 June has been assigned a specific environmental focus:

May 30 Plastic Waste Management Day

May 31Air Pollution Reduction Day

June 1 Environmental Cleanliness Awareness Day

June 2 Biodiversity Conservation Day

June 3Water Conservation Day

June 4Coastal Cleanup Day

June 5 - Tree Plantation and National Environment Day Celebration