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Supreme
Court rule on polythene bags might damage environment: Minister
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Supreme Court’s decision to prevent
the supermarkets from charging for the polythene bags might
have an adverse impact on environment said Minister of Environment
and Natural Resources, Patali Champika Ranawaka. He added
that since the supermarkets commenced charging for the polythene
bags, the usage dropped by nearly 30%.
“A study conducted by the University of Jayewardenapura
found that the polythene bags issued by super markets dropped
by 30%. This is a good development, since polythene is the
least recycled and the biggest harming agent to the environment,’
the Minister said. “But I fear that with this, the consumption
will go up again,” he added.
The Ministry will conduct research in the future to determine
whether the polythene consumption will increase in the following
months. Ranawaka added that instead of giving priority to
the wallet, people should look at the bigger picture.
“It takes decades if not centuries for polythene bags
and electronic waste to decompose. Recently, it was reported
that the garbage dump at Bloemendal Road is polluting
the Indian Ocean. If we do not limit using polythene, we will
never find a solution to this problem,” he added.
On Monday, the Supreme Court directed the Attorney General
to issue an order to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA)
directing supermarkets to stop levying charges for polythene
bags within seven days.
A bench comprised of Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva with Justices
K. Sri Pavan and P.A. Rathnayake made this ruling, taking
into consideration the fundamental rights petition filed by
Liyanagamage Ariyapala of Kottegoda, Matara stating that consumers’
rights were violated by the action of the supermarkets. Chief
Justice Sarath N. Silva said that imposing a charge for polythene
bags or any other container was illegal and it is equal to
stealing public money.
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