Usage of polythene banned at the upcoming elections

Political parties will be informed in writing, regarding the polythene ban for election propaganda activities, said the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).

Earlier this week, President Maithripala Sirisena instructed officials of the CEA to take necessary steps to ban the usage of polythene for election propaganda activities.

The President had advised the CEA to take legal actions against those who use polythene for election propaganda activities and meetings in the upcoming election, according to the Presidential Media Division.

The Environmental Pollution Control Unit of the CEA said this decision was taken following the issuance of the gazette notification banning certain polythene products.

Accordingly, the Police Environment Unit is set to look into such incidents.

When contacted by Ada Derana, a spokesman from CEA said that political parties will be informed about the polythene ban in writing and the media will be briefed about the ban, on Tuesday.