Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka will ban the free distribution of polythene shopping bags from November 1 under a new gazette notification, the government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The move comes after the Centre for Environmental Justice filed a fundamental rights petition seeking stronger measures to curb plastic use. Officials representing the Environment Ministry informed court that supermarkets and other retailers will be required to charge customers for shopping bags from next month.
Petitioners argued that authorities had failed to act despite previously agreeing in March 2024 to impose a levy on shopping bags.
Deputy Solicitor General Avanthi Perera, appearing for the respondents, said the gazette will take effect on November 1. The petitioners accepted the government’s assurance, and the court concluded hearings on the case.
(Newswire)
