Sri Lanka’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has recommended that the government explore the production of environmentally friendly paper bags as an alternative to polythene bags.
The proposal comes as authorities consider imposing a charge on polythene bags at points of purchase. Committee Chairman MP Hector Appuhamy emphasized the need to assess whether such a fee would meaningfully reduce polythene usage.
Appuhamy also questioned which government body held responsibility for deciding the amount to be charged. Officials clarified that the existing Gazette notification does not mandate any specific payment for polythene bags, indicating that further regulatory clarification is needed.
