Basel Convention

SRI LANKA

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	28.08.1992 (a)
Ratification of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	29.01.1999

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Chairman Central Environmental authority No: 104, Parisara Piyasa Robert gunawardhana Mawatha Battaramulla tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]	Secretary Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources No: 82, Sampathpaya, Rajamalwatta Road Battaramulla tel: [phone] or 88-7453 fax: [phone] or 88-7450 e-mail: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

National Definition

Waste includes any matter prescribed to be waste and any matter, whether liquid, solid, gaseous or radioactive which is discharged, emitted, or deposited in the environment in such volume, constituency or manner as to cause alternation of the environment. All wastes defined in the Annex I and III of the Basel Convention are considered as hazardous waste and radioactive waste arising from formulation / manufacturing of pesticides. Sri Lanka regulates/controls additional wastes as hazardous that are not included in Art. 1 (1)a of the Basel Convention and would be controlled for the purpose of transboundary movements pursuant to Art. 1 (1)b. These wastes are: Radioactive waste and waste arising from formulation/manufacturing of pesticides. Sri Lanka is in preparatory process of identifying wastes other than those pursuant to in Art. 1 (1)a and/or Art. 1 (1)b of the Basel Convention that require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement. A policy decision has been taken by the Ministry of Environment not to allow importation of plastic waste.

Data* on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes** and Other Wastes*** in 2000 (as reported)

		Quantities (in metric tonnes)
Generation	Total amount of hazardous wastesgenerated	40 617 ^1)
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	No data
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	No data
	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesimported	No data

* Figures are rounded to the nearest integer.

** Covers wastes under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45) and Art. 1 (1)b.

*** Covers wastes under (Annex II: Y46-Y47).

1) Figure refers to the total amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45). Estimated amount. Based on 1996 survey.

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention Sri Lanka ratified the amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1). A Cabinet decision was obtained to prohibit import of hazardous waste from all countries (not restricting to Annex VII countries); and to keep the list B as the controlled list, to take decisions on case by case basis. Regulations are being prepared.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery Sri Lanka has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. However, an official decision has not been taken so far.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal Sri Lanka restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. Regulations are being formulated. The Department of Export and Import Control is in the process of drafting regulations under the directions of the National Coordinating Committee. A Cabinet decision was obtained to prohibit import of hazardous waste from all countries (not restricting to annex VII countries).
	Restrictions on import for recovery Sri Lanka restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery. A Cabinet decision is taken not to consent totally to the import of hazardous waste for recovery. Legislature is being prepared. A Cabinet decision was obtained to prohibit import of hazardous waste from all countries (not restricting to annex VII countries).
	Restrictions on transit Sri Lanka restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The restriction is in accordance to the provisions of the Basel Convention.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies A National Strategy for Solid Waste Management has been formulated. A National Industrial Pollution Management Policy is in place. A National Cleaner Production Center has been established and the implementing agency is the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and industry, Sri Lanka. A National Plan for Hazardous waste management is being prepared.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Hazardous waste regulations are in place; Environmental Protection License scheme and the Environmental Impact Assessment scheme under the National Environmental Act; and Guidelines on siting of industries.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Some fiscal incentives are given to industries under certain conditions to use advanced technology in order to minimize waste generation under E-friend Loan scheme introduced by the National Development Bank. Waste minimization programs are being carried out for selected industrial sectors under UNIDO assistance. Pollution Control Abatement Fund (PCAF) provides soft loans and technical assistance for pollution control measures for existing industries. Loan assistance on preferential terms is provided by most of the banks if the industries seeking assistance are willing to meet the required environmental conditions as given in the Environmental Protection License.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Sri Lanka is the implementing agency of the Cleaner Production Center; Promotion of waste minimization through environmental audits. Waste treatment plants are established in Industrial Estates. Initiatives for Waste minimization are taken; and Industrialists go for ISO 14000 facilitated by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures	National strategies/policies National Strategy for Solid Waste Management advocates reduction of waste generation over reuse, reuse over recycling and recycling over environmentally friendly final disposal.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Regulations for Hazardous waste management.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Pollution Control Abatement Fund which provides soft loans and technical assistance for pollution control measures is targeted at existing industries. Companies seeking financial assistance on preferential terms from commercial banks are required to meet environmental conditions and to obtain Environmental Protection License.
Disposal/ Recovery Facilities	Disposal facilities At present there are no authorized organizations for disposal of hazardous waste. But negotiations are being conducted. Industrialists treat their own waste under the Environmental Protection License. At the moment steps are being taken to establish hazardous waste disposal sites. Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities At present there is no central company authorized in the country for the recovery of Hazardous waste. Industrialists have been requested to have their own waste treatment recovery plants under conditions stipulated in the Environmental Protection License scheme. Industrial Estates and Parks have Central Waste Treatment facilities.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

None.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

Some of the available sources are: Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources; Central Environmental authority; Industrial Technology Institute; Sri Lanka Customs; and University of Colombo.

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet