Conservation Strategies of Sri Lanka: An Economic Analysis

G.Nimal Chandrasiri,
Assistant Director, Central Environmental Authority
Introduction

Goal of national environmental policy of Sri Lanka is to achieve the sustainable development
through proper environmental management. To achieve this goal, following agencies have
been established in Sri Lanka

 Central Environmental Authority

 Forest Department
 Department of Wildlife Conservation
 State Timber Corporation
 Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

Central Environmental Authority (CEA) was established in August 1981 under the provision
of the National Environmental Act No: 47 of 1980. The Central Environmental Authority
which was established under the said National Environmental Act has overall responsibilities
of monitoring and governing the environmental issues within the legal frame work of
National Environmental Act of the country. The CEA was given wider regulatory powers
under the National Environment (Amendment) Acts No: 56 of 1988 and No: 53 of 2000.

In addition to government bodies Non Governmental Organizations play an important role on

environmental management and improvement. Above all agencies are under the Ministry of
Environment and Natural Resources.
Important of the Study
To achieve the goal of Sustainable Development, conservation of environment is a key factor.
Conservation mechanism should be cost effective and efficient therefore study of the
conservation tools is very important to manage natural resources and to increase the human
welfare.
Abatement cost should be less than the damage cost

Figure: Comparison of Abatement cost and Damage cost

Damage Cost

Abatement Cost

Optimum Level Pollution Level

Objective of the Study

 To find different treatment methods available for waste treatment

 To find the best available technology to pollution control
 To find the average cost waste treatment (Effluents and Emissions)
 To find the damage cost of environmental pollution
 To make comparison damage cost and abatement cost
 To identify the issues of pollution control

Running an industry without an EPL is a legal offence under National Environmental Act.
To issue an EPL industrialist should meet the CEA standards with relevance to effluent
emission and vibrations. Currently EPL issuance rate is about 12% island wide. If the CEA
take legal action against to this industrialist it may be an obstacle to government development
process. Therefore conducting comprehensive will help to improve pollution control
mechanism in Sri Lanka.